A bus injury settlement has been made to 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 £100,000 in personal injury damages.
Ms Ciara Whelan (23) from Dublin, was aboard a public bus being driven through the grounds of a hospital in April 2006, when it went over 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 not able to catch her breath or communicate. Another passenger saw what had happened and alerted the bus driver who stopped the bus. An ambulance was summoned, and Ciara was admitted into the hospital where they treated her for a crush fracture of the L3 lumbar vertebra.
The judge at the High Court heard that Ciara remained in hospital for eight days, after which she had to wear a neck brace for three months. She (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 her injuries and the case was before Mr Justice John Quirke for assessment of damages only.
Awarding Ciara £100,000 in personal injury compensation, Judge Quirke said that it was found that Ciara had suffered a very serious injury which would cause her continuing pain and some restriction of movement in the future.