Case of father-of-two fatally crushed at meat packing plant settled for €700k

High Court Reporter

The family of a father-of-two who died after it was claimed his head was crushed by a meat-packing machine at a processing plant in Kildare has settled a High Court action for €700,000.

Binak Cokaj, (54)an Albanian national, died after a work accident on May 14th, 2020.

He had been inspecting a vacuum-packing machine while carrying out his duties as a quality control and general operative in the boning hall of Kildare Chilling Company, Old Dublin Road, Curraghfarm, Co Kildare.

Mr Cokaj's wife, Shkurte Cokaj, Julianstown, Co Meath had sued Kildare Chilling Company, Momentum Capital Projects Ltd - an employment agency with an address at Unit 4B, ClaneBusiness Park, College Road, Clane, Co Kildare - and Sealed Air Limited, Cromwell Road, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, UK, who supplied the machine over her husband's death.

In court papers, it was submitted that Mr Cokaj was inspecting and cleaning the machine on May 14th, 2020, when it "crushed" his head as a result of which he suffered fatal injury.

As a result of the incident, it was claimed the deceased suffered "multiple skull fractures and extensive parenchymal brain injuries".

All of the claims were denied.

At the High Court on Thursday , Kieran Fleck SC with Michael McCormack BL, instructed by Daly Lynch Crowe & Morris Solicitors LLP, told Mr Justice Paul Coffey that a €700,000 settlement had been agreed by all parties after mediation.

Mr Fleck said Mr Cokaj suffered "tragic and catastrophic injuries" on May 14th, 2020, as a result of which he died in "very traumatic and distressing circumstances".

Mr Fleck said Mr Cokaj had been on minimum wage and was entitled to work and reside in Ireland after his refugee status had been approved by the State.

Mr Fleck told Mr Justice Coffey that the settlement was without admission of any liability on the part of any of the defendants.

Mr Justice Coffey noted the settlement and approved the "fair and reasonable" figure of €700,ooo.

Mr Justice Coffey extended his "deepest sympathies" to Ms Cokaj, who was in the court with the assistance of an interpreter, in what he said was a "very tragic case".