Former student files suit against district

Brodwyn Hormes lost parts of 3 fingers in shop class 5 years ago while attending Princess Margaret secondary

Aformer student who lost parts of three fingers in shop class five years ago is now suing the Okanagan Skaha School District for negligence. Brodwyn Hormes claims he was injured Dec. 2, 2011, while operating a jointer in Technical Education 9 at Princess Margaret Secondary School.

A jointer is a piece of equipment that uses metal blades spinning at high speed to chisel away at a piece of wood in order to produce a flat surface or to remove thickness.

Hormes, now 19, lost parts of three fingers on his left hand, and continues to suffer “extreme sensitivity and decreased function and dexterity” as a result of the incident, according to his lawsuit, which was filed March 15 in B.C. Supreme Court in Penticton

He alleges the school district was negligent on nine different counts, including failing to maintain the jointer in good condition, failing to instruct and supervise him properly, and “failing to have an adequate safety program or safety procedures in place with respect to operation of the jointer.”

Hormes claims the incident has caused him ongoing pain and suffering, impacted his incomeearning potential and made him “more susceptible to future injury and degenerative changes.”

He’s seeking an unspecified amount for damages, loss of income, past and future medical costs and interest.

Hormes’ lawyer did not return a call for comment Thursday seeking clarification on why the lawsuit was filed so long after the fact.

Okanagan Skaha superintendent Wendy Hyer said in an email the district has a policy of not commenting on cases that are currently before the courts.

But in general, she added, “our safety procedures, which are taught in all shop classes, are industry standard or better, so parents should not be concerned.”