Waitress: Glass jug shattered in my hand

A waitress who suffered a hand injury after she claimed a glass jug she was filling shattered has sued the luxury Lough Rynn Hotel in Leitrim.

Sophie Caillaud told the High Court “the bottom of the jug exploded” and she suffered a deep laceration at the base of her right thumb. She claims she has been left with a loss of strength in her right hand and could not resume work as a waitress.

She said she still feels pain in her hand after the accident on December 9, 2007.

Ms Caillaud told the court she cannot now cycle because she cannot pull the brakes with her right hand and also does not play tennis and can only carry light items.

Sophie Caillaud, aged 42, of Shannon View, Leitrim Village, Co Leitrim, has sued Lough Rynn Castle Ltd, of Elphin, Co Roscommon, which owns the Lough Rynn Hotel at Mohill, Co Leitrim, and two English companies, Bunzl Outsourcing Ltd, Seymour St, London, and Utopia Tableware Ltd, Chesterfield, who produced the jug.

She has claimed Lough Rynn Castle Ltd allegedly failed to ensure she was provided with and directed in a safe system of work and that there was an alleged negligence on the part of the two UK companies for permitting a glass jug to be used that was allegedly unsafe and hazardous. She is also claiming for a loss of work opportunities in the future.

The defendants deny all claims.

Counsel for the defendants Jim O’Callaghan put it to her she was exaggerating the extent of her immobility , she said she did not agree.

The case continues on Friday.