Injured Bus Driver Awarded 553,000 Euros in Stair Slip Case

A female bus driver, who had to take early retirement due to slipping and falling on the bus company’s stairwell, has been awarded 553,000 Euros in personal injury compensation. Susan Conaty (52), of Arklow, County Wicklow, was taking a rest break from her driving duties at the Dublin Bus Donnybrook depot in December 2003, when she slipped walking up the stairwell which led to the canteen. She subsequently fell eight to ten steps and landed upside down – suffering severe personal injuries that were made worse by an existing back condition.
Mr Justice Iarhflaith O’Neill in the High Court heard that Ms Conaty had tried to return to work after the accident, but had to take early retirement in 2006 because of her injuries. Ms Conaty filed a claim for personal injury compensation against Dublin Bus because, she claimed, they had not provided her with a safe environment in which to work.
The court heard that Dublin Bus had permitted the unsafe practice of allowing drinks to be taken from the canteen, and that this had lead to liquid being spilt on the landing area which had a slippery vinyl surface. Mr Justice Iarhflaith O’Neill found that Dublin Bus had failed in its duty to provide Ms Conaty with a safe place in which to work and awarded damages of 553,000 Euros.