In a very significant legal victory, Ursula Cullen has secured the highest monetary award currently permissible in the Circuit Court for a minor plaintiff in a personal injury claim. The case involved a serious incident in which a child sustained a facial traumatic injury due to a hazardous condition within the grounds of an apartment complex.
The minor was caused to trip over a raised concrete lip adjoining a metal grid which posed a foreseeable risk to young children as it was likely to attract them to play on it. As a result of the fall from the grid, the child struck their forehead on a concrete kerb, causing a deep and severe laceration. The injury has left the child with a prominent and permanent facial scar which made the child self-conscious.
Following a detailed hearing, the Circuit Court found the Defendants jointly and severally liable for the incident, citing clear negligence in that there was no warning signs displayed and given the design of the structure was likely to attract young children to play on it. The Court’s decision to award the maximum monetary compensation available at Circuit Court level reflects the gravity of the injuries sustained and the lasting impact on the minor’s life.
Ursula Cullen welcomed the decision, stating: “This judgment not only provides some measure of justice for a young child who has permanent disfiguring injuries, but it also serves as a reminder of the duty of care owed by owners and management companies to ensure safe environments for all residents.”
The outcome marks a notable precedent in personal injury claims involving minors and underscores the importance of maintaining safety standards in residential settings.
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