Two companies have been jointly ordered to pay €120,000 in compensation to the parents and brother of a young worker who died when he fell from a balcony in 2004.

The incident happened in the morning of June 18 in an apartment block which was being built by Tigne' Estates Ltd.

The court heard how the victim, Frank Fenech, 17 fell a height of six storeys from a balcony He suffered fatal head injuries.

Civil Court proceedings were instituted against contractor Jacksons Limited and Tigne' Estates Limited.

The victim was following an electrical course at the time of the incident.

The court found that he was 40% responsible for the accident because he had opted to work on an open balcony which was evidently dangerous.

However the companies were found responsible for the remaining 60%, particularly because Health and Safety inspectors' advice to put up railing around the balcony had not been heeded.

Jacksons Ltd had been previously acquitted of any responsibility in a case heard by the Criminal court.