After being examined by specialists, the court certified the accident left Alfred Spiteri with a 20 per cent disability. Since Mr Spiteri was 48 years old when the incident occurred, the court took into consideration that, had he not been injured, he would have been capable of working for another 10 years.

In those 10 years, the court calculated the man would have made around Lm100,000. Considering his 20 per cent disability, Mr Spiteri was therefore awarded 20 per cent of this amount and an additional Lm940, which amounts to Lm20,940.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo, said the employer is responsible for the safety of its employees and in this case, Maltacom had provided Mr Spiteri with a chair that could not support his weight on a daily basis.

Maltacom is therefore responsible for this accident and must make up for the damage it caused Mr Spiteri, the court ruled.

Dr Edward Zammit Lewis and Dr Josè Herrera appeared for Mr Spiteri.