• OT? - Democrat Bricklayer

    From George Anthony@21:1/5 to All on Wed Apr 10 11:14:06 2024
    Additional information requested by this man's insurance company.

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    Dear Sir,

    I am writing in response to your request for additional information in
    Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause
    of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and 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 new six-story building.

    When I completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over
    which, when weighed later were found to be slightly in excess of 500lbs.
    Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a
    barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building
    on the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground I went up to the roof,
    swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and
    untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the
    bricks.

    You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh
    135lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly,
    I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to
    say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the
    vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed.

    This explained the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken
    collar bone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report form. Slowed
    only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the
    fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
    Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was
    able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience
    pain.

    At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the
    ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight
    of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you
    again to my weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down
    the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the
    barrel coming up.

    This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body.

    Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the Barrel
    seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the
    pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.

    I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in
    pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind
    and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin
    its journey back down onto me.

    This explains the two broken legs.

    I hope this answers your inquiry.

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