Fireman settles Weil’s disease case

A FIREMAN who contracted Weil’s disease during a rescue course in the River Liffey settled his case in the High Court yesterday for what is understood to be a substantial sum.

The action was taken against his employers, Dublin City Council. A full defence was filed in court.

After some hours of talks outside the court, Declan Doyle SC for fireman, Gerard Byrne, 45, of Macetown Lodge, Macetown, Tara, Co Meath, said the case had been settled and Mr Justice John Quirke said he would strike out the procedings with costs for Mr Byrne.

In a statement of claim Mr Byrne submitted that on October 3, 2002, while on a “swift technician rescue course” in the River Liffey he suffered a cut to his hand and continued to enter and exit the water over the course of the day. As a result he suffered severe personal injuries and loss due to the alleged negligence of the defendants.

In May 2006 he was admitted to Beaumont Hospital where it was found he suffered from chronic cardiac dysfunction related to his diagnosis of leptospirosis, Weil’s disease — a potentially fatal infection carried in rats’ urine.

Dublin City Council in a defence denied the alleged accident/incident and claimed he failed to notify the council at the time.

In addition it was submitted Mr Byrne had failed to heed advice given in relation to river borne contaminants and the seeking of medical attention and the use of first aid when he first suffered the cut.