Employers try to say worker killed on the job committed suicide. (Australia)
Employers try to say worker killed on the job committed suicide. (Australia)
Harley Muir, 29, died from crush injuries in 2021 after he became entangled while working on a multibaler machine at a factory in Bridgewater, near Bendigo.
On the day of his death, February 1, 2021, Mr Muir stepped on a guard rail to look into the multibaler before the strapping arch of the machine moved and crushed him.
The court heard on Friday how the jury rejected an argument from the defence that Mr Muir's actions were deliberate and an act of suicide.
HAV Proprietary Limited, formerly Hay Australia Victoria, has been ordered to pay a $400,000 fine over a worker's death.
Why are they paying a fine, not a settlement to the family? It's even repeated further down in the article.
The fine is because they ran afoul of workplace safety laws. I'm not familiar with Aussie law, but I imagine the family might have grounds for a separate civil suit.
Judge Claire Quin said she received "very little material" on whether the company would be able to pay the fine.
If they can't afford a fine, they definitely can't afford a lawsuit.