After 19 Years: Court Orders Cyprus Racing Authority to Pay €100,000 to Assistant Who Lost an Eye at Work

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Nicosia District Court in a case that has been ongoing for almost 19 years. The Cyprus Racing Authority was found solely responsible for an occupational incident in which a veterinary assistant lost vision in one eye.

The court confirmed the organization's obligation to pay the injured party €100,000 in compensation for the loss of vision and diminished work capacity. Attempts to appeal both the finding of responsibility and the amount of compensation were unsuccessful.

The incident occurred on April 28, 2006, at a farm in the Agios Trimifias area. The veterinary assistant was accompanying a veterinarian during a procedure to microchip foals.

The procedure was standard: the farm owner held the foal by the ears from the front, the assistant held it by the tail from the side, and the veterinarian inserted the microchip into the neck area. The first three animals were successfully chipped.

During the fourth foal, the situation suddenly changed: the animal jerked its head down, broke free from the owner's hold, lunged forward, and kicked with its hind legs. The blow struck the assistant in the right eye. He had no time to react.

The court also noted an additional risk factor: the foal's mother was nearby, agitated, moving freely around the area, and reacting actively to the situation.

The three-judge panel emphasized that the employer must take all reasonably foreseeable measures to protect employees.

The court stated that the horse's unpredictable reaction was an obvious professional risk. However, the Racing Authority did not provide the employee with proper protective equipment, including a specialized protective helmet. There was no evidence that the injured party could have prevented the incident on their own.

The court confirmed the legitimacy of the €100,000 compensation. At the time of the incident, the injured person was young, and the injuries sustained are permanent, affecting both health and employment opportunities.

After 19 years of legal proceedings, the case concluded with a final ruling in favor of the injured party.