High Court awards €65k to car testing worker who was rear-ended at inspection centre

By Ann O'Loughlin

A car testing centre inspector who was rear-ended while carrying out an inspection of a vehicle has been awarded €65,000 by the High Court for injuries he suffered in the accident.

Fabian Karra (aged 34), a native of South Africa with an address at Cianlea, Blainroe Upper, Wicklow, was testing the brakes on a Toyota Avensis in the test centre at Deansgrange Business Park in Cabinteely, Dublin, on March 18, 2014, when a Mini Cooper driven by a co-worker collided with the rear of the Toyota.

He sued his employers, Applus Car Testing Service Ltd, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin, and Gill Hansi the co-worker and fellow employee of Applus.

It was claimed, among other things, there was a failure to have adequate regard for the fact that the Toyota was on the "brake rollers" in the test centre, a failure to keep an adequate lookout, and failure to drive with due care.

The claims were denied.

He claimed he suffered neck, shoulder and left arm injuries as a result of the accident.

Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, who said it was an unusual accident, awarded him €65,226.

He said Mr Kappa suffered "appreciable distress" in relation to his family and work life as a result of the injuries.

The judge said the greater part of the award, €50,000, was for pain and suffering to date while he awarded €12,000 for pain and suffering into the future.

The remainder was made up of agreed special damages.

The case was adjourned for a week to allow the defence consider whether to seek a stay on the award pending appeal.