Dunnes worker gets €81k after falling down stairs

A Dunnes Stores worker who fell down a stairs after she had stopped to look at a noticeboard has been awarded a total of €81,000 by the High Court.

Jean O’Reilly fell down nine steps and injured her neck and back at Dunnes Stores, Redmond Square, Wexford on December 9, 2011.

Mr Justice Raymond Fullam found there had been two breaches of statutory duty; the positioning of an important noticeboard too close to the top of the stairs and the absence of a handrail on one side of the stairs.

The judge said as a result of the fall, Ms O’Reilly was taken to hospital and had to wear a neck brace afterwards. She was out of work for six weeks and had to have physiotherapy. He awarded a total of €65,000 general damages, which with special damages brought the total of €81,500.

Checkout operator Jean O’Reilly, Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford, had sued her employer Dunnes Stores as a result of the accident at the Wexford store on December 9, 2011.

She had claimed she fell while descending a stairs from the staff locker room to the ground floor after she had stopped to check the noticeboard.

She claimed there was an alleged failure to install handrails on both sides of the stairs and as a result she was unable to save herself from falling. She further claimed there was an alleged failure to ensure her safety.

The claims were denied.