An elderly woman who had to have part of her right leg amputated after she fell when a Dublin Bus driver closed the bus doors before she had fully entered has been awarded €590,760 damages at the High Court.
The action was taken by Ms Joan Martin (70), Johnstown Park, Ballygall Road East, Finglas, Dublin, against Bus Atha Cliath/Dublin Bus arising from the accident on November 15th, 1998.
Making the award yesterday, Mr Justice Johnson said Ms Martin had been an independent, healthy and content lady looking after her own life until this accident had rendered her immobile.
The judge said he had seen Ms Martin's scars and believed that it must be a daily horror story for her to have to see them.
Her life had been shattered and she was entitled to have a carer and to be able to go out when she wanted, he said.
The judge added that he believed it was impossible for a person to appreciate the disability Ms Martin has. This was a serious permanent disabling injury.
Mr Bruce Antoniotti SC, for Ms Martin, had told the court she was mounting a bus at Ballygall Road East, Dublin, on November 15th, 1998, when she was caused to fall as a result of the driver closing the doors before she had fully entered.
She was taken to the Mater Hospital, where she was found to have suffered a serious "degloving" injury to her right leg. She also had a fracture of her neck and other fractures.
Her injuries required a number of skin grafts and the partial amputation of her right leg, and she continued to have ongoing pain, lack of mobility and disability.
The medical evidence was that she would have lifelong problems with her right leg and limb, and would walk with a dropped foot gait and stiff knee gait for the rest of her life.