Docker's heirs awarded Lm20,000 after industrial fatality

A judge yesterday ordered Malta Drydocks to pay over Lm20,000 in damages to the heirs of a docker who died while at work.

Grezzju Galea's heirs filed a suit for damages in the First Hall of the Civil Court after his death in November 1991.

Mr Justice Raymond Pace heard that on November 11, 1991, Mr Galea was working in the Drydocks on a ladder suspended from a crane. While he was positioned between the vessel Rae Lunuf and the dock, one of the planks that served as a fender broke loose and landed on Mr Galea. He succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

The heirs claimed that the fender had fallen because the nails that held it in place rotted and that the Drydocks had failed to carry out suitable maintenance.

They further claimed that the Drydocks had failed to take adequate safety and security measures to protect its employees. The court was told that after Mr Galea's death, the Drydocks had paid the heirs Lm8,639, equivalent to three years salary by way of life cover to the heirs.

A further Lm5,759.52 were paid to the heirs by the Drydocks under a personal accident policy, but the heirs had refused to accept the payment as full and final settlement of their claims.

In its judgment, the court ruled it was in agreement with the conclusions reached by the court-appointed expert in the sense that the Drydocks was responsible for Mr Galea's death.

The nails holding the plank/fender in place had rotted due to lack of maintenance on the part of the Drydocks.

The Drydocks had also failed to produce any evidence that contested the findings, the court noted.

Mr Justice Pace added that the Drydocks had failed to provide a secure and safe place of work for its employees. It had been negligent.

In conclusion, the court awarded Mr Galea's heirs the sum of Lm20,457.48 in damages.