THE co owner of L'Ecrivain Restaurant in Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, has been awarded just over £28,000 damages for whiplash injuries caused when her car was "rear ended" 2 1/2 years ago.
Mr David Nolan, counsel for Ms Sallyanne Parker Clarke, of Grosvenor Court, Templeville Road, Templeogue, told acting Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Diarmuid Sheridan, that liability had been conceded by the defendants, Asea Brown Boveri Ltd, Belgard Road, Tallaght.
Mr Charles Meenan, for the defendants, was granted a stay to facilitate an appeal to the High Court on condition of paying out £13,000 immediately to Ms Parker Clarke.
Ms Parker Clarke said her neck, shoulder and lower back were injured in the April, 1994, accident and she had been in agony for two months after it. During a holiday abroad shortly afterwards she had to lie on a mattress on the floor for the fortnight and was very tetchy.
She told Mr Nolan she put on an extra two stones in weight and last year, during a pregnancy, suffered prolonged effects of the injury and had to revert to wearing a cervical collar. She said she was still overweight.
Ms Parker Clarke said she had to employ a temporary waitress in her restaurant to carry out some of the heavier duties she was unable to do.
Mr Justice Sheridan said she had suffered a serious injury. He awarded her £25,000 general damages, with £3,048 special damages, including car hire and the employment of extra labour. He felt she had been very honest.