Ukraine: Sukha Balka to pay former worker UAH 120,000 in moral damages caused by occupational disease
[Summary translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]
Decision № 122343928, 15.10.2024, Zhovtnevyi District Court of Kryvyi Rih City
In September 2024, lawyer Yavodchak O.V., representing the plaintiff, filed a lawsuit against Private Joint-Stock Company Sukha Balka. The plaintiff had worked for a long time at Sukha Balka under harmful working conditions, which led to the development of a chronic occupational disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Group B (dust bronchitis, stage II; lung emphysema, stage II), and stage II pulmonary insufficiency (GOLD II).
On August 27, 2024, a Medical-Social Expert Commission (MSEC) determined that the plaintiff had a 30% loss of professional working capacity and was granted Group III disability permanently.
The court partially upheld the plaintiff's claim for compensation for moral damages caused by the health impairment. Sukha Balka was ordered to pay the plaintiff 120,000 UAH as moral damages, without income tax deductions.