€25,000 Compensation for an Accident on the Luas Approved at the Circuit Civil Court

by | Apr 2, 2015

The settlement of a teenage girl´s claim for compensation for an accident on the Luas has been approved at the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin.

Aoife Heron from Raheny in Dublin was just six years of age when, on 14th February 2008, she boarded a Luas at Connelly Street ahead of her mother – Elaine – who was pushing Aoife´s younger sister in a buggy.

As Elaine was boarding with the buggy, the automatic doors of the Luas closed – trapping the buggy between them – with Aoife still inside the train and her mother outside on the platform. The doors opened to allow Elaine to retrieve the buggy; but as Aoife went to join her mother on the platform, they closed once again – on this occasion trapping the little girl´s head.

An ambulance was called and Aoife was treated by paramedics for a head injury. Aoife later attended the family´s GP, who diagnosed a small amount of bruising and a soft tissue injury.  As a result of her accident on the Luas, Aoife – now thirteen years of age – has a scar on her head and developed a fear of travelling on the train.

Through her mother, Aoife made a claim for compensation for an accident on the Luas against Veolia Transport Dublin Light Rail Ltd – the operators of the Luas – alleging negligence and breach of duty. Veolia initially denied its liability for Aoife´s head injury but after a period of negotiation agreed to a €25,000 settlement of compensation for an accident on the Luas.

The settlement had to first be approved by a judge as it was in favour of a minor, and consequently details of Aoife´s accident and injury were related to Mr Justice Raymond Groarke at the Circuit Civil Court. After hearing that Aoife may need psychotherapy in the future to overcome her phobia of travelling on trains, the judge approved the settlement of compensation for an accident on the Luas.

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