€40,000 in favour of girl who cut leg on knife edged toilet roll holder

The Circuit Court President, Mr.Justice Raymond Groake recently ruled a minor settlement in the sum of €40,000 in favour of a young girl who cut her leg to the bone on a knife edged toilet roll holder.

The standalone toilet roll holder was purchased in a Heatons store by the minor plaintiffs mother. The holder was placed in the bathroom of the family’s apartment where it was used for a number of months prior to the incident.

The minor plaintiff, who was aged five at the time of the incident, had been washing her hands when she slipped and knocked her leg against a hinged metal flap that secured the toilet roll on the holder.

The minor plaintiff was taken to A&E Department of Tallaght Hospital by ambulance where she was admitted. The wound was cleaned and stitched. The Court was told that the minor plaintiff, now seven, had a four inch long two inch deep and was detained in hospital for several days, and missed two weeks of school. The Court was further advised that the plaintiff had a prominent scar on her leg that would remain permanent.

Liability was not at issue in this case and the defendant store offered a settlement of €40,000 which was duly ruled by Mr. Justice Groarke.

The above ruling is an example of where a compensation claim can be made even if the accident occurs in your private residence. Where an injury is sustained as a result of a defective product in your home please contact our office in order to progress your claim.