Former Ryanair worker gets €45,000 after injury
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RYANAIR has been ordered to pay €45,000 to a former employee who injured his back while manoeuvring aircraft stairs at Dublin Airport.
Polish national Damien Warcaba (25), a former baggage handler, took proceedings against Ryanair Ltd following an incident at Dublin Airport on July 17, 2008. Ryanair had denied the claims.
Mr Warcaba (right), of The Rill, Waterside, Malahide, Co Dublin, was alone on the date in question as other members of the team had gone to another aircraft.
He testified that he repeated what he had done on previous occasions and pulled the stairs on his own for two or three metres to connect it with the passenger door of a Boeing 737 aircraft.
While pulling the stairs, he felt something slide in his back and shortly afterwards he realised he had suffered damage. Mr Warcaba was brought by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital. He was out of work for two months and was paid during that time.
Giving judgment, Mr Justice Peter Charleton said that during training, Mr Warcaba was told at least two people had to effect the manoeuvre of aircraft stairs.
However, other staff members believed the reality on the ground was different.
Mr Justice Charleton said he was satisfied that nothing in the Ryanair rostering records indicated there was an abundance of or even sufficient workers to effect the task.
He would have years of discomfort, said the judge.
- Aoife Finneran
Irish Independent
