€285k for teen who hurt hand in digger accident

An award of €285,000 compensation has been made to a teenager for a serious injury to his left hand from an accident involving a digger on the family farm when he was 13.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved the settlement offer made by the family’s insurers at the High Court sitting in Cork yesterday.

The case was brought by Adrian O’Regan, aged 17, through his mother Margaret Barrett of Curabeg, Ovens, Co Cork, arising out of the incident on June 11, 2012. Medical reports were handed to the court for the judge to read before considering the offer. The judge then invited the plaintiff, his mother, and his legal representatives into the judge’s chamber to look at his hand.

Michael Gleeson, for the plaintiff, said the teenager was between Leaving Cert and going on to do an apprenticeship in the area of farm machinery.

Mr Gleeson said in order to take up the apprenticeship the plaintiff hoped to be driving and he would need a car and insurance. While yesterday’s settlement will be lodged in court until he is 18 there was an application for payment out of €5,000 towards the car and insurance. Mr Justice Cross said €10,000 could be paid out.

“I’m sure he won’t spend it on wine, women, and song. And he’s not going to be buying a Maserati.”