Posted By Nigel Souster
Came across this on the web, and thought I'd share it.
The following is apparently a true claim submitted to the Australian workers Compensation Board.
"Dear Sir,
I am writing in reposnse to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put 'poor planning' as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-storey building. When I had completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when later weighed, were found to be slightly in excess off 500lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the building at the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and united the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.
You will note in Block 2 of the accident report form that I weigh 135lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded up the side of the building at a rapid rate. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel that was now descending at an equally impressive speed. This explained the fractured skull, minor abraisions and the broken collar bone, as listed in Section 3 of the accident report form.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my left hand were two knuckes deep into the pulley. Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of the excruciating pain I was now beginning to experience. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel weighed approximately 50lbs. I refer you again to my weight.
As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. this accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations on my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change slightly. This encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertibrae were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope, and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin it's journey back down onto me. This expalins the two broken legs. I hope this answers your inquiry."