€50,000 for girl left scarred after soup fell on her

A four-year-old schoolgirl who was left scarred after she was burnt on the chest by hot soup in a crèche, has been awarded €50,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister Justin McQuade told the court that Priscilla Tchokoualeu Tola was still a baby in October 2011 when she attended the Little Harvard Crèche at Captain’s Hill, Leixlip, Co Kildare.

Mr McQuade told Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that a bowl of hot soup had been left by a crèche worker within Priscilla’s reach.

Priscilla, who was one at the time, had pulled the bowl towards herself and the hot liquid had spilled on her, burning her chest. She had been taken to her GP and the burn had been dressed.

The court heard the wound had left a visible 6cm by 7cm scar on Priscilla’s chest.

Through her mother Charlene Tola, of Hillview Heights, Clane, Co Kildare, Priscilla sued Little Harvard Childcare Ltd, with a registered office at c/o Houlihan Cushnahan & Co, Adelaide Road, Glasthule, Co Dublin, for negligence and breach of duty.

She claimed the crèche had failed to supervise her adequately and to take reasonable care.

Mr McQuade told Judge Groarke that a settlement offer of €50,000 had been made. The judge approved it.