High Court Motor Claim

Nathaniel Lacy LLP acted on behalf of Redclick in a recently reported High Court motor claim involving an uninsured driver, catastrophic injuries and significant potential exposure.

The matter, Quinn Garry v Shannon, Smith and MIBI, was ruled before Judge Coffey and was also reported by The Irish Times under the headline: “Young man who suffered traumatic brain injury in car crash settles action for €215,000.”

The Plaintiff, who was a minor at the time of the accident, was a back seat passenger in a vehicle driven by an uninsured driver. The vehicle had been taken without the consent of the owner, Redclick’s policyholder, by her minor son. Redclick was therefore the insurer concerned.

Nathaniel Lacy LLP maintained a robust defence position on behalf of Redclick. The defence pleadings included knowledge of no insurance, knowledge of travelling in a stolen vehicle, allowing himself to be driven in a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

The Plaintiff suffered catastrophic injuries, including a severe traumatic brain injury, movement disorder, left lateral gaze paralysis, significant orthopaedic injuries and a haemothorax requiring a chest drain.

In light of the catastrophic nature of the injuries, the potential exposure was significant. Nathaniel Lacy LLP maintained a firm position in respect of the defences pleaded and the matter was ultimately ruled for €215,000.

The outcome represents a significant result for Redclick, with the final figure amounting to a fraction of the overall exposure of the case.