Thomas Leslie Barrie files $666k lawsuit over council workplace fall

A council worker has filed a lawsuit after he fell from a piece of machinery while on the job and now alleges he has been left with permanent partial disabilities.

A Mackay Regional Council worker is seeking a $666,000 payout after claiming he fell from a piece of machinery while on a job, hit his head, was knocked unconscious and had been left with permanent partial disabilities.

Thomas Leslie Barrie was working as a machinery operator on Diggins Rd when the incident happened on July 30, 2019.

Court documents filed in the district court stated the 62 year old had been on a steel drum roller at a worksite when he parked the vehicle to the site for morning tea about 8.30am.

He held onto the arm rest and was facing forwards as he got out of the drum roller.

Thomas Leslie Barrie alleges he fell from a drum roller while on the job and suffered injuries.

“The arm rest (Mr Barrie) was holding onto broke and he slipped and fell from the roller,” the document said.

Mr Barrie hit his head and was knocked unconscious from the fall and had alleged it caused “an aggravation of his lumbar spinal injury, a head injury, also a psychological and/or psychiatric injury”.

Mr Barrie has alleged Mackay Regional Council negligence and/or breach of contract caused his injuries and has filed a lawsuit for $666,028.54.

In court documents he has alleged the council failed to take reasonable care not to expose him for a foreseeable risk of injury while he was performing his work duties.

The 62 year old has filed a lawsuit against Mackay Regional Council for $666k.

Mr Barrie has also alleged the council failed to provide a safe work environment and failed to maintain a proper and safe work system.

He has alleged as a result of his injuries he “has suffered and continues to suffer much pain, discomfort and inconvenience” and “has lost and continues to lose some of the enjoyment and many of the amenities of life”.

Mr Barrie claims the fall caused him to suffer “permanent partial disabilities”, lose income because he had to take time off work and be restricted “in his ability to obtain and maintain himself in remunerative employment”.

This publication contacted Mackay Regional Council for comment. The council said it was working with its insurers on these matters.

Originally published as Thomas Leslie Barrie files $666k lawsuit over council workplace fall