The Málaga Public Prosecutor has brought charges against three people in relation to an industrial accident in Algarrobo which led to a worker suffering multiple injuries and being declared permanently unfit for work in the construction industry.
The accident occurred in Algarrobo in 2006 during works to install low-voltage cables A trench was dug for the cables, at first by hand and then by the use of machinery. Later, when a workman was cleaning the bottom of the trench, a tree fell on him, pinning him in the trench and causing him multiple injuries.
As a result of the injuries, the workman was deemed permanently unfit for work in the construction industry.
The three defendants are variously charged with failing to take into consideration the effects of vibration from heavy machinery on the terrain and, in particular, on a tree devoid of roots adjacent to the trench.
One of the accused, employed by the contracting company, is charged with failing to ensure that the sub-contractor adopted measures to provide extra support for the tree to prevent it from falling.
The prosecutor is requesting a prison sentence of one year for reckless injury plus nine months for a crime against the rights of workers for each of the defendants. In addition, the prosecutor is requesting €10,000 compensation for the time the workman spent in hospital and recovery plus €20,141 compensation relating to his permanent inability to carry out work in his normal profession.