Builder fell two stories at work and got fired after his boss called his medical certificate ‘rubbish.’ He fought back and won $3,000

Imagine surviving a terrifying two-story plunge off a scaffolding platform, nursing broken bones in agony, only to receive a text message declaring your doctor's note absolute "rubbish." That exact nightmare unfolded for one veteran builder who suffered severe injuries on the job, was quietly terminated without notice, and decided he was not going down without a fight. The details of the dispute were reported on October 8, 2026, on Galway Live.

How it happened

It all began back in May 2023 when Edward Kenny joined ACM Building Contractors Limited. For over a year, Kenny carried out his duties on site until disaster struck in October 2024. While working on scaffold platforms high above the ground, Kenny fell two stories down, fracturing his ribs and inflicting severe, agonizing damage on his lower back. He was immediately forced onto sick leave for six weeks. Though he courageously tried returning to the site in late December 2024, the crippling pain proved unbearable. By August 2025, his physician referred him for MRI scans and other medical tests. Kenny also explained that his employer refused to pay a single dime for the medical expenses, forcing Kenny to pay out-of-pocket.

Adding insult to injury

Determined to protect his rights, Kenny hired a lawyer in mid-August 2025 to officially raise concerns regarding his treatment. He submitted a valid medical certificate and requested that his employer complete a standard form so he could access government illness benefits while recovering. Instead of helping him, his employer fired back with a cold text message: "What is that for? Stop sending me rubbish." The company cut off all communication and refused to cooperate. The ultimate betrayal came shortly after when Kenny logged into the official tax portal to check his employment status. He discovered to his utter shock that the company had secretly terminated his contract weeks earlier on August 15, 2025. This was done without giving him a single word of notice, a disciplinary hearing, or any fair procedure whatsoever.

A dangerous pattern

According to data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, and trips remain the leading hazard for site workers. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,102 construction workers die from workplace injuries. Falls, slips and trips accounted for 418 of those deaths, or 37.9%

WRC rules in his favor

Kenny took his former employer straight to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). ACM Building Contractors did not even bother to show up or defend themselves, but the hearing officer, Valerie Murtagh, called Kenny a "credible and cogent witness" who was clearly denied basic rights. She explained that by law, compensation is capped when a worker's lost income is due to being too injured to work rather than the firing itself. Because of this rule, the tribunal awarded Kenny the maximum amount allowed, four weeks of pay, which came out to about $3,000 (€2,650).

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