Former Enemalta employee wins €85,328 in damages

Louis Borg Falzon, a former Enemalta employee, was awarded €85,328 in damages for injuries he had sustained in an occupational accident in 1999.

Falzon and other Enemalta employees were cleaning an aviation fuel tank at the Malta International Airport when the fuel caught fire as it was being emptied into a bowser. The fire spread to the bowser and the employee suffered severe burns to his face and arms. Falzon, then 41,  was hospitalised and could not report to work for six months while he recovered.

Court expert surgeon Charles Grixti, told the court he examined the victim on 27 October 2003. During the medical examination, X-rays and MRI scans revealed that Falzon had suffered a 6% disability. Other experts held the victim had also suffered a psychological trauma.

The victim's wife, Doreen Borg Falzon, took the witness stand and explained how her husband returned to work after six months but had to avail himself of a further three months' sick leave on half-pay. Enemalta had also agreed the man could take leave at a moment's notice due to the severe pain he suffered from.

Madam Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland held Enemalta Corporation as the sole party responsible for the incident. The corporation was ordered to pay Falzon €85,328.88 in damages. The Court ordered that Enemalta also pays for court expenses.