Harley Muir’s children launch lawsuit against Hay Australia Victoria

The children of a Bendigo man who was killed in a workplace incident at a hay factory have launched their own lawsuit against the now defunct company.

Bendigo father Harley Muir died in a workplace incident at the Hay Australia Bridgewater plant on Monday February 1, 2021. Picture: Facebook

The children of a man killed while working at a Bendigo hay manufacturing plant are now suing the defunct and convicted company for damages.

A writ filed to the County Court earlier this month revealed three children of Harley Muir, 29, have filed a lawsuit against Hay Australia Victoria (623452924HAV Pty Ltd), claiming compensation and costs after their dad was killed at work in February 2021.

Mr Muir suffered fatal injuries when he became entangled in a hay-baling machine at Hay Australia Victoria’s factory in Bridgewater.

Mr Muir was crushed as he stepped on a guardrail and placed his body between a stationary and moving part of the machine, which had recurring misalignment issues.

The business was found guilty at a trial earlier this year of criminal negligence over the workplace death.

Court documents revealed the three children claimed compensation, costs and “such further or other relief as the Court thinks just.”

A Hay company was convicted and fined after worker Harley Muir (pictured) died in a workplace incident in February 2021 Picture: Facebook

During the trial defence lawyers alleged Mr Muir deliberately stepped into the wrong part of the machine with the intention of taking his own life.

Prosecutors said the company should have installed a light curtain — which would cut the power to the machine if an object passed through it — in the area where Mr Muir was killed.

The company has since been bought by Hay Australia, which was unrelated to the case, and has not traded since 2022.

Mr Muir’s family spoke about their loss at a court hearing on March 18, where his son said if he wanted to hug his dad now, he had to “hug a gravestone”.

The business was convicted and fined $400,000.

Legal representatives for the children were contacted for comment.

623452924HAV Pty Ltd could not be reached.