Supreme court increases compensation for injured quarry worker

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a former quarry worker, increasing his total compensation to €95,000 following a workplace accident in December 2010. The worker, who was employed as an engineer and welder, suffered a dislocated right shoulder and a fractured humerus after a colleague mistakenly activated a conveyor belt, causing him to fall into a rock collection chute. While a lower court previously found the worker 30 percent contributorily negligent and rejected his claim for loss of earning capacity, the Supreme Court overturned this decision. The appellate court determined that the employer bears full responsibility for the incident and that the worker did not breach his duty of self-protection. The court increased general damages from €50,000 to €80,000, citing the severe pain, suffering, and permanent injuries sustained. Additionally, the judges awarded €15,000 for the loss of earning capacity, noting that his injuries put him at a significant disadvantage in the labor market given his age of approximately 56 at the time of his departure.