A pedestrian who had to have his right foot amputated after he was struck by a bus which allegedly mounted a footpath was yesterday awarded damages of £446,085 at the High Court.
Mr Timothy Kelly, a pipe fitter of Oriel Street, Dublin, sued Dublin Bus as a result of the accident on November 29th, 1996, which occurred near the junction of Beresford Place and Abbey Street. The company denied the claim.
Mr Kelly was taken to the Mater Hospital and had to have his foot amputated above the ankle. He now wears a prosthesis.
Prior to the accident, Mr Kelly (42), had been employed by Mercury Engineering but had to give up his work because of his injuries.
Making the award, Mr Justice Johnson said Mr Kelly had suffered a huge trauma and disappointment as a result of the accident. He had had a good job and wage and what had happened would have an extremely profound effect on his life.
Of the settlement figure, £240,000 is for future loss of earnings and £64,858 for loss of earnings to date. A sum of £50,000 is for pain and suffering to date and £70,000 is for pain and suffering in future. Other sums are for medical expenses.