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

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).