An award of £72,000 to a child who injured her hand in an escalator was increased to £87,000 by the Supreme Court yesterday.
Ruth Coleman (5), through her mother, Ms Yvonne Coleman, of Rockwood, Stillorgan, Co Dublin, had sued Dunnes Stores Ltd and Otis Elevator Co Ltd arising from an accident at Dunnes Stores, Stillorgan, on September 24th, 1994, when the child was aged two.
It was claimed Ruth's hand became caught in a gap between the moving metal escalator steps and the fixed skirting.
In its damages award of £72,000, the High Court said £25,000 was of that would be paid for pain and suffering to date. Ms Coleman appealed against that part of the award and the Supreme Court increased it by £15,000. Liability had been agreed at 60 per cent for Dunnes and 40 per cent for Otis.