How Accident Happened
From:
Matahir
2 Jalan Ayam Matang
Kuala Rumput
To:
Great Eastman Agency
ATTN: Claims Review
PO Box 88
Kuala Rumput, 48900
Dear Sir,
I'm writing in response to your request for additional information.
In section #3 of the accident report form I put "Trying to do the job alone"
as the cause of the accident. In your letter you said that I should explain
more fully and I trust that the following details should be sufficient.
I'm a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the accident I was working alone
on the roof of a new 3 story building. When I completed my work I discovered
I had about 300 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks
down by hand I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley that
was attached to the side of the building at the 3rd floor. Securing the
rope at ground level I went to to the roof swung the barrel out and loaded
the bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope
while holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the three hundred
pounds of bricks.
You will note in section #2 of the accident report form that I stated I
weighed 165 pounds. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so
suddenly I lost my presence of mind and did not let go of the rope.
Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the
building. In the middle of the second floor I met the barrel coming down.
This explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone.
Slowed down only slightly by the barrel I continued my rapid ascent,
not stopping until my right hand was two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately, I retained conciseness and was able to hold tightly to the
rope in spite of my pain and injuries.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground
and the bottom of the barrel broke out. Devoid of the weight of the bricks
the barrel weighed approximately 50 pounds. I refer you again to my weight
in box #2. As you might imagine, I began a rather rapid descent down the
side of the building. In the middle of the second floor, I again met the
barrel coming up. This accounts for my two fractured ankles and lacerations
of my legs and lower body. This encounter with the barrel slowed me enough
to lessen injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks.
Fortunately only three vertebrate were cracked.
I'm sorry to report however as I lay there on the bricks, in pain, unable
to stand or move, I lost my presence of mind and let go of the rope. The
empty barrel, weighing more than the rope, came back down and broke both
of my legs.
I hope I furnished the information that you need to complete the processing
of my claim and that you understand how the accident occurred by trying to
do the job alone.
Sincerely,
Matahir
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