The High Court has awarded €719,985 to a man who suffered serious injuries in a taxi crash and later left his printing career because of continuing physical limitations.
Patrick Quinn was a rear-seat passenger in a taxi driven by Stephen Dunne when it collided with another vehicle at about 2am on 9 February 2003. Liability was not disputed.
Quinn, then aged 25 and working as a printer, suffered injuries described as life-threatening. They included fractures to his right hip, shoulder and elbow and a head injury. He spent 12 days in hospital, followed by two weeks in Clontarf Rehabilitation, and was initially discharged home in a wheelchair.
Although he made a substantial recovery, the court accepted that he continued to have restricted movement, hip pain and problems involving his shoulder and arm. Medical evidence also recorded difficulties including fatigue, concentration problems, dizziness and insomnia.
Quinn returned to printing but said the physical work, including moving paper and working around machinery, had become too difficult. He left the trade in 2005 and became a self-employed taxi driver.
The defendants questioned whether that career change had been necessary. Mr Justice Michael Peart rejected that argument. He found Quinn had not exaggerated his symptoms and that leaving printing was reasonable given the demands of the work and his continuing injuries.
The judge estimated that Quinn could have been earning about €50,000 gross annually as a printer. Using his 2007 taxi income as a guide, the court calculated a net weekly earnings shortfall of €365 and awarded €428,510 for future loss of earnings to age 65.
Quinn was also awarded €87,000 for past loss of earnings, €150,000 for past and future pain and suffering, €25,000 for the projected cost of two future hip replacements and €29,475 in agreed special damages.
The resulting judgment against the defendants was €719,985.