The government was today ordered to pay over €56,000 in damages to an employee who was injured while at work at Malta Shipbuilding.

The case was instituted by Anthony Mangion against the Malta Shipbuilding Co Ltd which was then transferred to the government.

The incident happened when Mr Mangion was helping to load furniture onto a ship. At one stage a box fell over and Mr Mangion was thrown a height of four metres and injured his left hand.

The court was told that Mr Mangion had sustained a permanent disability. Mr Mangion claimed that Malta Shipbuilding had not provided him with a safe system of work.

On its part the government denied responsibility for the accident and it also denied that Mr Mangion had suffered a permanent disability. It added that Mr Mangion had already received Lm3,232.32 from the Group Personal Accident Policy.

Legal expert nominated by the court found in Mr Mangion's favour and ruled that Malta Shipbuilding was responsible for the accident as it had not provided proper preventative measures. The medical expert appointed by the court concluded that Mr Mangion had suffered a 30% permanent disability.

The court found the shipyard responsible and ordered the government to pay Mr Mangion €56,505.94 in damages.