Curtis Cook, a passionate footy enthusiast, cherished spending time with friends and family. However, his 21st birthday was spent in a hospital following a devastating workplace accident that left him in a coma with severe head injuries. Just three weeks into his new role with Flow Smart, an irrigation systems company in Gippsland, Victoria, Cook was involved in a tragic incident while installing irrigation at a dairy farm. During the task, a telehandler allegedly struck him on the head, causing him to fall 1.5 metres to the ground, resulting in serious injuries.
After two weeks on life support, further MRI scans disclosed that Cook’s injuries were more significant than initially believed. He described his recovery as akin to being like a one-year-old, learning basic skills such as eating and holding up his head again. His mother, Simone Vale, who has become his full-time caregiver, noted that while Cook has made considerable progress, their family life has irrevocably changed. She expressed her grief for the son she raised, stating, “I definitely have had to grieve the son that I raised for 20 years. He’s gone.”
The incident has prompted WorkSafe to file two criminal charges against Flow Smart, alleging failures to maintain a safe work environment and the lack of necessary safety training for employees. Legal representative Stuart Coutts is advocating for compensation on behalf of Cook, with potential claims amounting to approximately $2 million.
While the family strives to navigate this challenging situation, they face legal hurdles in pursuing compensation for Vale herself, due to restrictions under Victoria’s laws. Flow Smart is set to face court proceedings in April regarding the incident, but the company has refrained from commenting as the matter is still under legal review.
The accident has not only transformed Curtis’s life but also left an indelible mark on his family, who are adjusting to a new reality far removed from the life he once led.