The High Court assessed damages of €80,000 general and €9,938.06 special for David Scahill, who continued to have nasal problems after a collision near Cloghan, Mullingar. The judgment says the assessment totalled €89,938.06.
Mr Scahill told the court that timber entered his car during the collision, near where two of his young children were sitting. He said he was deeply concerned for their safety and believed an object, possibly a timber stake, struck his face. The court accepted his evidence as truthful and noted that he had not overstated his claim.
He suffered an abrasion and swelling and deformity of the nose, as well as right shoulder discomfort. X-rays showed no nasal bone fracture. He later underwent septorhinoplasty in November 2015, but his nasal obstruction persisted, particularly on the right, and the nose remained crooked with a slight dip in its bridge. He also had numbness in the lower part of the nose and difficulty getting air through it.
The court considered further revision surgery likely to improve the nose’s appearance and function. The judgment records estimated costs of €3,500 for surgery, with additional anaesthetic and hospital charges also described. Mr Scahill wished to defer the operation until he finished his active football career. The €9,938.06 in special damages included provision for further surgery.
The judgment says the defence medical reports were largely in agreement with the plaintiff’s reports. It records that Mr Scahill had dental work, including two fillings, but was not claiming for that work. It also says he did not seek counselling and had largely carried on with his life normally, despite being emotional when giving evidence.
The case was heard as an assessment. The judgment sets out the damages assessed; it does not state a separate total judgment sum or record any further order.