Injured worker’s $1m case

A GOLD Coast construction worker is suing his former employer and two developers for almost $1 million for allegedly falling three metres through a floor when working with a crane on Hope Island.

In a claim lodged in the Southport District Court, Jason Robert Lawson, 22, alleges he was left with a short right leg following surgery for a fracture, and with “scarring and disfigurement”.

Mr Lawson alleges he was working as a dogman for M & V Cranes at a new unit block in North Quay Circuit, Hope Island, on May 4, 2015. He is also suing developers Tobrob and Creation Homes for the injury.

Mr Lawson, of Oxenford, claims he climbed a ladder to the first floor, which was made of timber floor joists and waiting for floor sheeting to be fixed. He then guided a crane to place a 900kg bundle of floor sheeting in position. When the sheeting was disconnected from the crane, the joists “rolled on their side ... resulting in (Mr Lawson) falling to the ground”, the court documents claim. The incident allegedly occurred because the floor joists were not secured.

It is alleged surgery to fix his fractured thigh bone left him with “ongoing disability and impairment, a short right leg and a need for future surgery” to remove a nail from the bone. He says he is unable to work in any manual roles.

Mr Lawson is seeking compensation of more than $431,000 from M & V Cranes and more than $455,000 from Tobrob and Creation Homes.

M & V Cranes referred the Bulletin to its solicitors, but declined to name the firm acting for them. Tobrob and Creation Homes were unavailable for comment.