ABS TELEVISION/RADIO – The High Court has ordered equipment supplier Lics Limited to pay a former employee 90 thousand dollars for injuries he sustained on the job.

Gah-Yin Wong suffered injuries to his eyes, face and upper body following an explosion at the company’s oxygen filling plant in October 2012.

The claimant, then 27 years old, was rushed to hospital where he spent a month, including two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit.

When he returned to work, he was on sick leave several times.

The company, which hadn’t compensated Wong for his injuries, dismissed him in May 2014 as unfit for further employment.

As part of its defence, the company denied it owed Wong compensation, contending he was negligent and either caused or contributed to the accident.

Earlier this month, Justice Rohan Phillip ruled the company breached its statutory obligation under the Labour Code.

At the time of the explosion, the company had supplied Wong with gloves, but no goggles and other protective gear as required for his work.

Meanwhile, the judge determined Wong, who hadn’t been wearing his gloves, was negligent and contributed to the accident.

He later awarded the former employee 80 thousand dollars for pain and suffering and 40 thousand for loss of amenities.

The 120 thousand-dollar total was reduced by 25% to 90 thousand, accounting for Wong’s contributory negligence.