A WAITRESS who suffered serious burns to her leg after her clothing caught fire while working in a hotel restaurant has secured more than €65,000 damages at the High Court.
Saara Kalliokoski (26) suffered the injuries when some flammable fuel, an ethanol gel in burners used to keep food warm, spilled on to the ground and splashed on to her polyester trousers, which then went on fire, at Adare Manor Hotel, Co Limerick.
Ms Kalliokoski, from Finland, with an address at Milford Grange, Castletroy, Co Limerick, sued Adare Hotel Ltd, trading as Adare Manor, over the accident which occurred while she was working in the Manor’s Carriagehouse Restaurant on June 5th, 2005.
The case was before Mr Justice Vivian Lavan in the High Court for assessment for damages only as liability was not at issue.
The court heard Ms Kalliokoski suffered serious injuries to her left leg. She suffered horrendous blisters on the burn area, which became infected and required antibiotics and her wounds required to be dressed regularly.
Mr Justice Lavan said he was perfectly satisfied Ms Kalliokoski had “a very difficult time” as a result of the burns to her left leg. Her injuries had left a permanent scar and discoloration and she would not be able to expose the skin to sunlight.
It had taken two months for her wounds to heal.
He said he would award €30,000 damages for pain and suffering to date, €35,000 for pain and suffering into the future and special damages of €300.