Port worker's widow wins compensation

Sea Malta has been ordered to pay almost 200,000 euro to the heirs of a man who died in 1992 while unloading a container. The judgment was delivered by Mr Justice Raymond C Pace in the case instituted by Kristinu Abela's widow Mary Abela and his children Beverly Marie and Christian Abela against Sea Malta. In 1994 the Ghaqda tal-Ko-Operattiva tal-Burdnara (1987) Ltd was called into the suit. Sea Malta was represented by its liquidators John Abela and Dr Andrew Chetcuti Ganado.

The court heard how in July 2002 a groupage container belonging to Sea Malta was being unloaded by the stevedores co-operative. But while the works were underway a box broke loose and fell on Kristin Abela, causing him fatal injuries. The court heard that the box contained glass and that normally, such boxes were not stored in a sealed container, as had occured in this case.

In normal circumstances, glass was stored in an open container so that it could be easily identified and danger would be avoided. Mr Justice Pace said it was clear that the container had not been properly loaded, and that Sea Malta was therefore responsible for Mr Abela's death. The court awarded Mr Abela's widow and children 196,540.88 euro (LM84,375) in damages.