Insurance report

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Insurance report


This one needs an intro, so you won't be lost at the beginning. This
man was in an accident (work accident, not car accident), so he filled
out an insurance claim.  The insurance company contacted him and asked
for more information.  This was his response:

 I am writing in response to your request for additional information
 for block number of the accident reporting form.  I put 'poor
 planning' as the cause of my accident.  You said in your letter that I
 should explain more fully and I trust the following detail will be
 sufficient.  

 I am an amateur radio operator and on the day of the accident, I was
 working alone on the top section of my new 80 foot tower. When I had
 completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the course of several
 trips up the tower, brought up about00 pounds of tools and spare
 hardware.  Rather than carry the now un-needed tools and material down
 by hand, I decided to lower the items down in a small barrel by using
 a pulley, which was fortunately attached to the gin pole at the top of
 the tower.

 Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and
 loaded the tools and material into the barrel.  Then I went back to
 the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow
 descent of the00 pounds of tools.

 You will note in block number 11 of the accident reporting form that
 I weigh only 155 pounds.  Due to my surprise of 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 rather rapid rate of
 speed up the side of the tower.  

 In the vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming down.
 This explains my fractured skull and broken collarbone. 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
 onto the rope in spite of my pain.  

 At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the
 ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel.  Devoid of the weight of
 the tools, the barrel now weighed approximately 20 pounds.  I refer
 you again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I
 began a rapid descent down the side of the tower. 

 In the vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming up.
 This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my
 legs and lower body.  The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough
 to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools and,
 fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.  

 I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the tools, in
 pain, unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80 feet above me,
 I again lost my presence of mind.  I let go of the rope...


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