A carpenter who sustained a devastating brain injury after falling 25 feet from a scaffold on to a concrete floor will be paid £1.3 million in damages, under the terms of a settlement approved by the High Court yesterday.
Mr Michael John Robert McNamara (25) had sued, through his mother, Helena, of Ballytigue, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, John Sisk and Son Ltd, with a registered address at Wilton Works, Naas Road, Clondalkin, Co Dublin, and C F Structures, with registered offices at Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin.
Mr McNamara claimed he had fallen from a scaffold into a concrete basement while working on a building at University College, Cork, on August 30th, 1996.
He was admitted to Cork University Hospital, where he had difficulty in breathing, and a brain scan showed bruising and haemorrhage. He was put on a ventilation machine.
An artificial opening had to be made in his windpipe and he was deeply unconscious.
It was claimed that Mr McNamara suffered a devastating brain injury.
The prognosis is that he will require lifelong in-patient care.
Dr John O'Mahony SC, with Mr John Wilde Crosbie (instructed by James Monahan and Co), for Mr McNamara, said his client had a minimal level of consciousness and was one step above the vegetative state.
Counsel said the case had been settled and added that the question of liability was an issue between the two firms.
Mr Justice Johnson approved the settlement and added that an application should be made to have Mr McNamara made a ward of court.