A passenger on an Arriva bendy bus has been awarded €3,700 in damages after a court ruled that she had suffered a permanent disability after being involved in a traffic accident in February 2012.

Rita Galea filed her action for damages against Arriva Malta Limited and against the bus driver Mario Bugeja.

The court heard that the accident occurred in Msida when Mr Bugeja, who was employed by Arriva, stopped the bus suddenly. Mrs Galea hit her head on a metal bar in the bus and suffered permanent scarring on her forehead.

Mr Justice Ellul said that Mr Bugeja had slammed the brakes of the bus, and the violence of the impact showed that he must have been driving at speed. Mr Bugeja had not been keeping a proper look out, said the court.

Ms Galea suffered a permanent scar on her forehead which the court found to constitute a permanent disability of five per cent.

The court found Mr Bugeja to be solely responsible for the accident and ordered him to pay Ms Galea €3,700 in damages.

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