Boy who was scarred on face in crèche fall awarded €45,000

A 12-year-old schoolboy, who will be scarred for life after falling while attending a crèche nine-years-ago, has been awarded €45,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister Conor Kearney told the court that in July 2007 Calum Lawless was at the Happy Days Creche, Hansfield, Clonee, Dublin, when he fell on an uneven floor.

Mr Kearney said Calum hit his head in the fall, lacerating his face close to his right eye. Calum, who was three-years-old at the time, had been shocked and shaken.

The court heard that Calum's wound had been bleeding heavily and he had been taken to the VHI Swiftcare Clinic at Dublin City University, Collins Avenue, Dublin.

Mr Kearney today told Judge James O’Donohoe that Calum suffered a deep 3cm-long laceration, which was repaired with glue and steri-strips.

Calum’s eye, which had remained closed for one week, had been bruised for several weeks following the incident.

The court heard the wound had left a permanent two-centimetre scar on Calum's face. Calum, through his mother Lorraine Lawless, of Ardlea, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, sued Happys Days at Hansfield Company Ltd, with a registered address at Luttrellstown Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin, for negligence.

Mr Kearney told the court that the crèche had accepted liability and had made a €45,000 settlement offer. Judge O’Donohoe approved it.