A Kenyan tire repair worker received 800,000 shillings in general damages and 400,000 shillings for reduced earning capacity after a Chinese construction firm failed to provide proper safety equipment. The Makindu court found the company negligent when a burst tire sent timber into the employee's hand in December 2015, leaving him with permanent partial disability. Medical records showed the worker suffered a fractured right hand and lost about 20 percent of function despite requesting protective cages multiple times before the incident.
The magistrate added 6,000 shillings for medical expenses and ordered interest from the 2017 filing date. The company never responded to the court summons or filed a defense, leading to automatic liability. An appeals court upheld the 1.2 million shilling total award on Saturday. The worker testified he can no longer perform his previous duties but found lighter employment despite reduced job prospects.
The magistrate added 6,000 shillings for medical expenses and ordered interest from the 2017 filing date. The company never responded to the court summons or filed a defense, leading to automatic liability. An appeals court upheld the 1.2 million shilling total award on Saturday. The worker testified he can no longer perform his previous duties but found lighter employment despite reduced job prospects.
