The High Court has approved a settlement of €750,000 in compensation for a man who fell three meters from a scaffolding tower while he was helping his brother make repairs to the roof of his house.

Patrick Rayner from Mitchelstown, County Cork suffered his fall in heavy rain in December 2008 and sustained a fractured skull in Killmallock, County Limerick. Mr.Rayner suffered hearing loss, a reduction in his taste and sell senses and now suffers frequent headaches.

The victim claimed that the scaffolding had not been secured to a permanent structure and therefore his brother had failed to provide him with a duty of care for his safety. Mr.Rayner’s brother did not dispute his liability and the settlement of €750,000 had already been agreed leaving Ms Justice Mary Irvine to approve the settlement.