A Filipino seaman, who sustained "devastating" facial injuries as a result of an accident on board a German ship in Dublin Port, was awarded damages of almost £300,000 by the High Court yesterday.
Giving judgment, Mr Justice Smith said: "One must marvel at the expertise and skill of the staff of the Mater Hospital who put this man's face together and who also saved his life."
One Filipino surgeon who treated Mr Ramon Ramos described his face as being "as fragile as an egg-shell put back together with glue". He added that the injuries, accompanied with occasional dizziness, rendered Mr Ramos unfit for any work close to machinery.
Mr Ramos (37), a father of three children, had sued the German owners of the motor vessel Jane. Mr Ramos brought the action after an accident in March 1997, when he was on a 10-month contract with Mid-Ocean Maritime Ltd related to his work on the Jane.
While the ship was docked, he was hit in the face with a steel winch handle which became loose while a lifeboat was being lowered. He fell unconscious and was taken to the Mater Hospital where he underwent three operations.
Mr Ramos had difficulty in opening his mouth and also had mid-facial soft tissue and bone injuries. He was eventually taken back to the Philippines where he had further surgery. He will require more facial and dental treatment over a two-year period.
Mr Justice Smith said doctors and surgeons at the Mater Hospital had left their work to look after Mr Ramos, who was in the surgical theatre for up to nine hours. Two "very dedicated surgeons", Mr Michael Early and Mr David Ryan, headed the team.
General damages to date were assessed at £70,000 and damages in the future were assessed at £180,000. Other sums were allowed for future medical, hospital and dental expenses and loss of earnings for the next four years.
Mr Justice Smith told Mr Tim Sheehan, for Mr Ramos, he was giving judgment for £293,867 and costs. He allowed a payment to be made of £150,000 and put a stay on the balance in the event of an appeal.