Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Victim is blamed for accident ruling victim Anger at ruling over accident

Elizabeth Nash
Friday 07 November 2003 01:00 GMT
Comments

A builder who was left paralysed after a fall at work was blamed for the accident by a Barcelona court yesterday, a decision which scandalised politicians campaigning in the Catalan regional elections.

Spain's Labour Minister, Eduardo Zaplana, said he disagreed with the court ruling, although he would abide by it. Joan Saura, leader of Catalonia's left-wing Green Initiative party, condemned the ruling as "unbelievable and grotesque". Mr Saura's party could hold the balance of power after regional elections on Sunday week.

Barcelona's High Court said that although the building company provided no protective equipment the blame for the accident lay with Enrique Pociños for agreeing to work without safety measures. The court overturned a damages award of €380,000 (£260,000).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in