Faller at the first

Carpenter sues Turf Club after tumble

A GOLD Coast carpenter who claims he fractured several ribs and his collarbone after falling from scaffolding at the Gold Coast Turf Club is suing for more than $600,000 in damages.

Luke Martens, 37, lodged a claim against Multi Span Australia in the Southport District Court seeking compensation for the injuries received from the fall.

He claims he broke sev- eral ribs and a collarbone and suffered a collapsed lung, meaning he was off work for a considerable time. “He has since returned to work as a carpenter but is limited in the work he can perform,” the court documents said.

The documents state Mr Martens was working for Services CIL, a contractor of Multi Span Australia, when he fell off scaffolding while installing a ceiling in the mezzanine level of the exhibition hall on December 8, 2014.

Mr Martens was helping move a sheet of cladding with the help of two other employees, the documents state.

“In the course of manipulating the sheet, the sheet was moved in the plaintiff’s direction, causing him to step backwards to maintain his balance and his grip on the sheet,” it is alleged.

“As (Mr Martens) stepped backwards the scaffolding unit on which he was standing moved or skidded.”

Mr Martens then fell over the railing of the scaffolding unit and to the floor.

The documents allege Multi Span Australia and Services CIL both failed to provide a safe system of work for Mr Martens.

Services CIL have not been named as a respondent in the documents but it is understood Mr Martens is seeking to have the company joined as a party to the proceedings.

Mr Martens is asking for $630,679.09 as compensation for the damage caused by the fall.

Multi Span Australia said no one was available until mid-January to comment on the matter.

The company is yet to lodge a defence.