ALFRED — A York County Superior Court jury this week awarded nearly half a million dollars to a Maine man who was injured while working at the Maine Energy Recovery Co. in Biddeford.

Joseph Bordeau, 48, of Mexico was awarded $489,755 by the jury on Wednesday, according to his attorney, Peter Clifford. Bordeau contended the accident was caused by MERC’s failure to follow OSHA regulations and the company’s own policies related to hoisting and rigging.

Bordeau, a welder, suffered serious back injuries when he was pinned to an I-beam while he was working on an 8-foot ladder. A heavy metal debris pan being hoisted nearby was improperly attached and swung loose into Bordeau’s ladder, Clifford said.

Bordeau was pinned for several minutes before employees could control the debris pan.

Clifford said his client’s injuries are permanent and he cannot work for more than four hours a day.