Dublin cleaner wins €54k after car crash and hospital needle injury

Dublin Woman Awarded Over €54,000 for Two Separate Incidents

A woman residing in Dublin has been awarded a total of €54,210 in damages by the Circuit Civil Court following two separate and unfortunate incidents: a road traffic accident and a subsequent needle-stick injury sustained while working as a cleaner in a hospital.

Corina Constantinescu, of Millrace Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin 15, took two distinct cases to the court, where the defendants in both matters had already admitted liability. The hearing before Judge Terence O’Sullivan was therefore held to assess the appropriate level of damages for the personal injuries and psychological distress she suffered.

The court heard that the first incident occurred on 15 June 2021, when Ms Constantinescu was driving her two children to school. Her vehicle was struck from behind by a car driven by Anna Stewart. Represented by barrister John Nolan, Ms Constantinescu told the court that the other motorist immediately apologised and accepted full responsibility for the collision. The impact resulted in significant injuries to her neck and back, as well as associated psychological trauma.

Distressing Hospital Ordeal

Just three months later, Ms Constantinescu experienced a second distressing event while employed as a cleaner at Connolly Hospital. While removing a plastic refuse bag from a bin, she was jabbed in the lower leg by a hypodermic needle that had been carelessly discarded. The court was shown photographs of the needle protruding from the bin bag.

Liability for this incident was admitted by both Connolly Hospital and Derry Court Company, which provides services to the facility. Ms Constantinescu, speaking through an interpreter, described the profound anxiety that followed the injury. She endured an agonising six-month wait for blood test results to confirm she had not contracted any diseases. During this period of intense stress, she explained, she was unable to maintain intimate relations with her husband, placing a considerable strain on her personal life.

After considering the evidence for both claims, Judge O’Sullivan awarded Ms Constantinescu €38,750 for the injuries sustained in the road traffic accident. For the needle-stick injury and the subsequent six months of severe anxiety, he awarded a further €15,460, bringing the total compensation to €54,210.