Senath Mo.Class of '58
Ups & Downs Of Life
I am writing in response to your request for more detail information regarding my recent accident claim.
In block number 3 of the accident reporting form, I put … (quote) “poor planning” (unquote), as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully. I trust the following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a six story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had ordered too much material and was left with about 500 pounds of brick, mortar and miscellaneous materials. Rather than carry the materials to the ground by hand, I decided to lower the brick and materials in a barrel using a pulley, which fortunately was attached to the side of the building, at the six floor.
Securing the rope at ground level, I returned to the roof top, swung the barrel out, and loaded all of the remaining (previously addressed) bricks and materials into the barrel. I then returned to the ground level and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow decent of the 500 pounds of bricks and materials.
You will note in block 11 of the initial accident report that my weight is stated as being 165 pounds.
Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I apparently lost my presence of mind and neglected to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at rather a rapid rate of speed up the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I distinctly remember meeting the barrel as it was coming down. I believe such encounter with the rapidly descending barrel sufficiently addresses my fractured skull and broken collar bone.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid accent, not stopping again until the fingers on my right hand were two- knuckles deep into the before mentioned pulley.
Fortunately, by this time I had somewhat regained my presence of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite the pain.
However, at approximately the same time, the barrel of bricks and materials hit the ground below- and the bottom exploded out of the barrel. Unfortunately, the barrel, now being devoid of its contents weighted approximately fifty pounds.
I refer you again to my weight as previously stated in block 11 of the accident report. As you might imagine, I began a rather rapid decent down the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, My feet and legs met the barrel coming up. I believe that encounter to explain the two fractured ankles and the lacerations to both my legs and lower body .
My encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries caused by me falling onto the pile of bricks and materials previously spilled onto the sidewalk. Fortunately, only three vertebra were cracked when I landed in the pile of bricks and debris.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks- in pain - unable to stand, …. watching the empty barrel swinging six floors above me- I again lost my presence of mind. As I recall, my last conscience thought was to let go the rope.
