Judge refuses €12,500 offer to girl scarred for life by lift doors

A judge has refused a €12,500 settlement offer to a four-year-old schoolgirl who will be scarred for life after her left hand became trapped in lift doors at the Convention Centre Dublin.

Judge Petria McDonnell heard in the Circuit Civil Court that in November 2011, Juliette Croke was with her aunt and grandmother at the centre, at Spencer Dock, North Wall, when the incident happened.

Barrister Noel Cosgrove on Tuesday said the incident had been very traumatic for Juliette, who was just over one year of age at the time. She had suffered a crush injury to her middle and ring fingers, resulting in skin loss to both.

The girl had been taken to a VHI Swiftcare Clinic where her wounds were cleaned and dressed. Her dressings had needed to be changed several times during the following month.

Pain and swelling

Mr Cosgrove told Judge McDonnell that Juliette suffered pain and swelling to her fingers for several weeks after the incident, and she had been very upset.

Juliette, of Willbrook Estate, Whitechurch Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin, had developed an overgrowth of skin to her ring finger which had later resolved itself. The wounds had left visible permanent scars on her fingers.

Through her mother Addie Croke, Juliette sued Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin Ltd and Spencer Dock Convention Centre Dublin (No2) Ltd, for negligence.

Mr Cosgrove said liability was not an issue in the case and the defendants had made a €12,500 settlement offer, which included €1,350 for fees and expenses.

Counsel said he feared the figure was not enough and he was not recommending acceptance of it to the court.

He said that in his view, Juliette would succeed if her case went for a full hearing.

Judge McDonnell refused the offer and the matter was adjourned for a full hearing, at a date to be fixed by the Circuit Court office.