Woman awarded €1.4 million after fall in Tesco supermarket

A woman has been awarded €1.4 million in damages by the High Court after slipping on graps while shopping in a Tesco supermarket.

48 year old Patricia Walsh from Carrigaholt, Co.Clare was left permanently disabled with severe back and other bodily injuries after the 2012 incident in the Kilrush branch of Tesco in County Clare.

Ms Walsh was awarded total damages of €1.43m, including some €393,000 for loss of earnings to date and into the future; €270,000 general damages to date and into the future; €239,846 for aids and appliances and €132,750 for urology costs.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr allowed a stay on the award pending appeal but said €500,000 must be paid now and 75% of Mr Walsh’s legal costs must also be paid.

Tesco Ireland admitted liability on the first day of the case which ran for a total of 7 days and involved evidence from 15 doctors.

Mr Justice Barr was satisfied that Ms Walsh had suffered permanent back and bladder injuries rendering her grossly disabled in all aspects of her life.
She has constant pain on a daily basis and doctors believe she will require ongoing treatment.

Ms Walsh had to self-catheterise three times a day and has suffered psychiatric and psychological issues as a result of her injuries.  She underwent a range of treatments here and in the UK, culminating in the insertion of a spinal cord stimulator in February 2015.

The court heard that Ms Walsh had formerly been an active sportswoman but was no longer able to participate in sports and dancing with her young daughters.

Following the verdict of the case, representatives stated that Ms Walsh was ‘happy and contented’ with the outcome.

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