Court orders Hyundai Engineering to pay $680,000 for paralyzing construction accident

A South Korean court has ordered Hyundai Engineering and a subcontractor to pay approximately 940 million won (about $680,000) in damages to a worker who became paralyzed after being struck by a falling pipe at a construction site. The ruling came in an appellate court decision on May 10, addressing a lawsuit filed by the victim and his family.

“

The court found that the work was carried out differently from the work plan, and yet Hyundai Engineering's supervisors, site managers, and safety managers did not properly manage and supervise the work site as per the heavy object handling work plan, leaving it unattended.

The accident occurred in April 2017 at a construction site for a new officetel in Seoul. The victim, identified as Mr. Ahn, 57, was working in the basement when a pipe being hoisted to the third floor fell, hitting him. The impact caused severe head injuries, leading to paralysis in all four limbs and cognitive impairment. He lost 100% of his future earning capacity.

During the legal proceedings, the companies attempted to shift blame, attributing the accident to the subcontractor or Mr. Ahn's personal carelessness. However, the court found Hyundai Engineering, as the primary contractor, negligent in its oversight. The court stated that Hyundai Engineering should have intervened or guided the work towards safer methods, especially since the operation deviated from the original work plan.

“

It is reasonable to conclude that Hyundai Engineering, as the overall person in charge of the construction, had predictability and controllability over this work and the accident.

The court also dismissed the defense's argument regarding the statute of limitations, noting that Mr. Ahn's condition fluctuated, and it was difficult to pinpoint when he fully recognized the extent of his damages. The ruling emphasizes the responsibility of the main contractor to ensure safety and proper supervision on its sites, regardless of subcontracting arrangements.

“

Considering the location where he fell, it appears that Mr. Ahn had secured a considerable safety distance from the hole on the first floor at the time of the incident.