A man left with quadriplegic injuries and with severe brain damage following a road traffic accident has had a €6.5 million settlement of quadriplegic injuries compensation approved in the High Court.
Alan Kavanagh (41) from New Ross, County Wexford, sustained his injuries when he and his daughter were involved in a head-on collision with a van errantly driven by Liam Toohey of Nenagh, County Tipperary in November 2004.
Having suffered multiple fractures and brain damage which left him in a quadriplegic condition, Alan is totally dependent on others for nursing care, is unable to feed himself and is confined to a wheelchair. Fortunately, the only injury suffered by Alan´s daughter in the accident was a broken finger.
At the High Court in Dublin, Ms Justice Mary Irvine heard that Alan had made a claim for quadriplegic injuries compensation through his brother against Toohey and the owner of the van involved in the accident – John Heffernan, a haulage contractor, also of Nenagh, County Tipperary. Liability for Alan´s injuries had been accepted and the case was before the judge for assessment of damages only.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine heard that Alan was currently living in a nursing home for the elderly which was not suitable for his needs; however a settlement of €6.5 million had been proposed which would provide financial security for the rest of Alan´s life and enable him to have the level of care he required.
After hearing evidence from Alan´s partner and mother of his daughter – Loretto Power – that the family was happy with the settlement of quadriplegic injuries compensation, Ms Justice Mary Irvine gave the settlement her approval – saying that it was an excellent settlement which gave Alan the best chance of meeting his future needs.