The settlement of a dog bite compensation claim has been refused by a judge in the Circuit Civil Court on the grounds that it may not be enough.
The claim for compensation for a dog bite had been made on behalf of nine-year-old Amy Shortle of Donabate, County Dublin, after she had been bitten on the face by a neighbour´s pet Spaniel.
Amy had been playing with friends at the nearby home of Thomas Tol and Tracey Lynch in December 2011, when the family´s Spaniel bit Amy on both sides of her face, leaving lacerations that took twenty stitches to close.
Doctors treating Amy believe it is likely she will need laser treatment to prevent future permanent scarring and, at the Circuit Civil Court, Mr Justice Raymond Groake heard that an offer of €25,000 in settlement of the dog bite compensation claim had been made, but that Amy was still experiencing discomfort from her injury and even more treatment may be required than was first imagined.
On hearing that the full consequences of Amy´s injury may not have yet manifested, Judge Groake declined to approve the settlement of compensation and adjourned the hearing to facilitate further negotiations between the families.
Footnote: Any settlements of children´s injury compensation claims in Ireland must be approved by a judge before the case can be considered closed. Judge Groake was well within his rights to refuse to approve the settlement of compensation for a dog bite, as Amy (through her parents) would be under-compensated if treatment costs for her injury were greater than the value of the settlement.