A two-weeks-old baby fell and banged her head when an examination table collapsed while she was being weighed, a Circuit Civil Court judge has heard.
Barrister Tracy Ennis Faherty said in October 2009, Grace Sheerin Hayes, had been with her mother at a local health clinic located at Kingswood Community and Leisure Centre, Walnut Close, Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, Dublin, for a routine check-up.
Ms Ennis Faherty told Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that Grace, who is now five, was placed on a weighing scales which was on the allegedly defective examination table.
The court heard that when the table collapsed, the baby rolled off the scales and banged her head against a door. The scales and several books, which were on the table, had then fallen on her.
Judge Groarke was told that a red lump appeared on the side of Grace’s face and her knees were grazed. She had been taken to the A&E of Adelaide and Meath Hospital where she had been kept overnight.
The court heard that the baby’s head became swollen a few days latollowinger and she developed bruises around both eyes. She had experienced trouble while sleeping and eating.
Through her father George Hayes, Grace, of The Park, Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, sued the HSE and Kingswood Community and Leisure Centre Limited, for negligence and breach of duty.
Ms Ennis Faherty told Judge Groarke that a settlement offer of €8,500 had been made and the judge approved it.