€106k award over caravan park injury

A young girl who has been left with a scar on her thigh after she hit against a protruding nail at a holiday caravan park has settled her High Court action for a total of €106,000.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr was told that Shauna Burke has been left with a 6cm scar after suffering a laceration in her right front thigh as she played with friends in the holiday caravan park at Lahinch, Co Clare.

Shauna Burke, aged 17, of Brookhaven Walk, Mill Rd, Corbally, Co Limerick, had through her father John Burke sued Austin Francis Slattery trading as Slattery’s Caravan Park, of Lahinch, as a result of the injury she sustained on August 17, 2009 when she was aged 10.

It was claimed a nail was allegedly protruding in a dangerous position, creating a hazard, and there was a failure to remove the nail when it ought to have been know that the area was frequented by customers and people staying at the camp site. The claims were denied.

Shauna was playing with friends not far from the family mobile home when the accident occurred. It was claimed her leg came in contact with a nail that was allegedly protruding from a metal box attached to a pole near a mobile home in the caravan park.

Counsel Niall O’Driscoll BL said a nail was protruding from a metal box and it had sliced the young girl open above the knee.

After inspecting the scar, Mr Justice Barr approved the settlement and said it was a very good offer.

The total figure includes €16,000 special damages, including provision for future medical care.