December 14th, 2006

The family of a man that worked at Malta Drydocks, and allegedly died as the result of asbestos poisoning from his work there, may be receiving a payout from the government for damages in relation to the death of Joseph Fenech. The government took over as the defendant in the case, which was filed against Malta Drydocks by the family of the deceased.

Although the government has now been held responsible for the damages, a judge has delayed the case until early next year as it is hoped that an out of course settlement might be reached. The government took over as the defendant in the case in 2004.

Fenech passed away in 1997 after working at the Drydocks between 1959 and 1995. He had allegedly been exposed to asbestos through a variety of jobs that he had performed while working at the Drydocks, and his death is said to have been the result of this asbestos exposure.

Fenech was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 1992 according to the judge. He was just 55-years-old when he died five years later.