The Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling and increased compensation for bodily injuries suffered by a soldier serving at the “Evangelos Florakis” naval base in Mari blast, on 11 July 2011. That date marked a tragic day for the Republic of Cyprus when explosions caused extensive damage, deaths, and injuries. The 19-year-old soldier, on duty within the base, sustained permanent hearing loss in both ears and tinnitus.
By his 2015 examination, he showed mild hearing impairment in low and mid frequencies, severe loss in high frequencies. These conditions remain permanent, preventing noisy professions like his trained plumbing and auto mechanics work.
Original claim and first ruling
Andreas Christodoulou sued the Attorney General in Larnaca District Court for general and special damages covering pain, suffering, loss of amenities, and future earnings.
The first instance court awarded €80,000 compensation in general damages with interest from 11 July 2011, plus agreed €168.79 special damages with interest from 30 September 2011, and costs.
Neither side felt satisfied. The Attorney General appealed claiming the general award excessive; Christodoulou counter-appealed on three grounds.
Increased award includes earnings loss
In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court raised general damages to €90,000, incorporating €50,000 future earnings loss.
This multiplier method considered his age (19 at incident, 24 at first ruling), career limitations from noise exposure, and overall circumstances. The court deemed €50,000 fair and reasonable.
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