Injured woman gets €2m

A young woman who received a brain injury when the car in which she was a back-seat passenger was involved in a road accident…

A young woman who received a brain injury when the car in which she was a back-seat passenger was involved in a road accident has settled her High Court action for damages for an estimated €2 million.

Caroline Fitzell (25), Asdee East, Co Kerry, had sued David Nealon, Clounalour, Tralee, the driver of the car in which she was a passenger, and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland.

Then aged 21, Ms Fitzell was in Mr Nealon's car on May 26th, 2002, when it went out of control and struck a bank on the side of the road between Killorglin and Glenbeigh. She claimed she suffered severe personal injuries, loss and damage.

It was alleged she sustained a brain injury along with injuries to her eye, nose, chin, neck and her left hand and left leg. It was claimed Ms Fitzell has ongoing head pain and headaches and a drooping eyelid. Her left hand and left leg have reduced power. Her short-term memory was also affected. She sleeps for two or three hours in the middle of each day.