A woman who suffered a spinal injury after a bus in which she was a passenger drove over a speed ramp too quickly, has been awarded 121,493 Euros in personal injury damages.
Ciara Whelan (23) from Drumcondra, Dublin, was aboard a Dublin Bus being driven through the grounds of the Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown in April 2006, when it hit a speed ramp too quickly and caused Ciara to hit her head severely on the roof of the bus.
After collapsing into a nearby seat, Ciara was unable to catch her breath or speak. Fortunately another passenger witnessed what had happened and alerted the bus driver who stopped the bus. An ambulance was summoned, and Ciara was admitted into the hospital where she was treated for a crush fracture of the L3 lumbar vertebra.
Mr Justice John Quirke at the High Court heard that Ciara remained in hospital for eight days, after which she was required to wear a neck brace for three months. Ciara told the court that she still suffers frequent back pain but it is controlled by anti-inflammatory drugs and ongoing physiotherapy. The court also heard that Dublin Bus had admitted liability for Ciara´s injuries and the case was before Mr Justice John Quirke for assessment of damages only.
Awarding Ciara 121,493 Euros in personal injury compensation, Judge Quirke said that it was established that Ciara had suffered a very serious injury which would cause her continuing pain and restriction of movement in the future.