€76k awarded to bus driver after suspension failure causes serious injury
A DUBLIN Bus driver injured when the pneumatic suspension on his vehicle failed as he drove over a speed ramp has been awarded nearly €76,000 in High Court damages.
The driver was represented by Dublin personal injury law firm Paul W Tracey Solicitors
The firm had sued the employer and a local authority on behalf of the injured driver (Dublin Bus & South Dublin Co Co) over the incident on the Tallaght to Bohernabreena Road on September 27, 2005, when the driver suffered injuries to his neck and lower back.
The driver had driven the 201 bus over three ramps on the road when, as he went over a fourth ramp, the suspension malfunctioned and caused a loss of “cushion effect” to the bus.
Mr. Justice Éamon de Valera sitting in the High Court awarded €75,911 damages against Dublin Bus. The judge said that the driver was entitled to succeed in his claim against the bus company but not against the council which had, he said, built the ramps in accordance with best practice.
The judgment went on to say that Dublin Bus had a statutory duty to ensure necessary measures are taken so that the equipment used is suitable, or properly adapted, for its purpose so that it can be used by employees without risk to their safety and health.
Where there is a risk or rupture or disintegration of equipment likely to pose a danger to health and safety, then appropriate protection measures shall be taken, the judge added.
Paul W Tracey Solicitors June 2010
Comments
Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
