The injured technician was awarded 73,000 after falling two storeys in a CPD training course.

Karl Stagno-Navarra

Judge Silvio Meli, presiding over the First Hall of the Civil Court, today ordered the Director of Civil Protection Department to pay out 73,000 to an ST. Microelectronics technician who had seriously injured himself when falling two floors during a fire-fighting training course at the department's compound in Hal Far.

The accident happened in March 2002, when Pierre Farrugia, who was employed as a technician at ST. Microelectronics, was delegated by his company to act as 'trainee fire-fighter' and was sent on a course at the Civil Protection Department.

During the excercise, Farrugia had fallen a height of two floors, seriously injuring himself and sustaining permanent disability.

He had sued both the Civil Protection Department and ST. Microelectronics over their responsibility for the accident.

The court, upheld Farrugia's claim that the Civil Protection Department was to be held responsible for his safety during the training excercise, but absolved his employer, ST. Microelectronics from responsibility.

It ordered the Civil Protection Director to liquidate the amount of 73,000 in favour of Farrugia.

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Civil Protection director ordered to pay €73,000 in damages