Courts

Girl secures €86,000 settlement over injuries sustained after running into bus shelter

Victoria Wisniewska (14) alleged structure outside Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin had no lighting and she did not see it in her path

Vue cinema at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, where Victoria Wisniewska had been to see the Barbie film. Photograph: Eric Luke
Vue cinema at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, where Victoria Wisniewska had been to see the Barbie film. Photograph: Eric Luke
Tue Jan 14 2025 - 16:19

A girl who claimed she sustained a gash on her forehead when she ran into a glass panel on a bus shelter has settled her High Court action for €86,000.

Victoria Wisniewska was running to a friend’s car at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin when she allegedly struck the glass panel and fell to the ground.

Wojciech Wisniewski, Victoria’s father, claimed she was unable to see the glass as there was allegedly no lighting and it was not evident there was a glass panel in her path. Liffey Valley Management Ltd denied all of the claims in the case.

The girl’s barrister, Conor Kearney, told the High Court Victoria has been left with a scar on her forehead as a result of the incident two years ago. He said she had been to the cinema to see the Barbie movie with a friend, and it was dark and raining when they came out of the centre and they ran to get to the car.

READ MORE

Victoria (14), of Maynooth, Co Kildare, sued Liffey Valley Management Ltd through her father over the August 13th, 2023, incident. The settlement, which includes €82,000 in general damages and the rest in special damages, was recommended by the Injuries Resolution Board. The settlement is without an admission of liability.

[ Insurance reform: bringing stability and lower costs to contentious claims process ]

In an affidavit to the court, Mr Wisniewski said his daughter was running towards her friend’s mother’s car when she hit the glass side of the bus shelter.

Victoria was brought to hospital, where the cut was cleaned and closed with glue and Steri-Strips and she was prescribed antibiotics. Mr Wisniewski said Victoria was discharged and has been left with a 5cm scar on her forehead.

The gash is well healed but Victoria may require revision surgery when she is older. Mr Wisniewski said he was happy with the Injuries Resolution Board’s assessment.

Ms Justice Nuala Jackson approved the settlement.