Anthony Damiano given accident compensation for unusual work injury

A Burwood funeral director’s assistant had been looking forward to retiring in leisure, but a 168kg corpse put an end to his golfing hobby and he now needs help from his 93-year-old mum to mow his lawn.

Mr Damiano was working as a funeral director’s assistant when he was injured.

A man has endured daily pain after he injured his shoulder a decade ago while moving a dead body weighing 168kg at a funeral home, the County Court has heard.

Anthony Damiano was working as a funeral director’s assistant for WS Rose Funerals in Burwood in January 2009 when he felt a “ripping and burning sensation” in his right shoulder as he helped to transfer a massive weight.

Mr Damiano was working as a funeral director’s assistant.

The court heard the now 70-year-old had ongoing pain and restricted use of his shoulder in the decade since the incident before Judge Andrea Tsalamandris ruled on June 25 he deserved accident compensation from his former employer.

“Instead of being able to fully enjoy his retirement years, Mr Damiano must now endure daily pain, for which he requires the frequent use of medication to assist in his pain relief,” she said.

“He experiences interference to his sleep, and is not able to fully enjoy his favourite hobby of golf, or other leisure activities he previously used to enjoy.”

MORE: ELDERLY DRUG LAB OPERATOR LOSES BID FOR FREEDOM

WHAT HAPPENED TO MITCHAM DAD 55 YEARS AGO?

GYM BUDDIES’ STEROIDS AND COCAINE BUSINESS

The court heard the father-of-five’s shoulder was aggravated by driving, he could not mark a footy and that he needed his 93-year-old mother’s assistance to start a lawnmower.

Mr Damiano continued working for WS Rose Funerals up until December 2016, continually seeking medical treatment for the injury.

The court heard he had not had any problems with his right shoulder before he sustained the work injury “whilst transferring a very heavy deceased man” in 2009.

Judge Tsalamandris found Mr Damiano’s resulting ongoing condition was “at least very considerable”, deeming him deserving of accident compensation.

She ordered his former employer, now called Bledisloe Australia Pty Ltd, pay his legal costs and damages associated with the Accident Compensation Act 1985.

It is not known how much compensation Mr Damiano received.