Schoolgirl (11) awarded €56k after injuring elbow falling from monkey bars in Dublin park

Halle had been at what was claimed to be Ireland’s largest indoor trampoline and ninja park, which boasts almost a dozen play zones and party rooms as well as a restaurant and coffee shop, when the incident happened

A judge has ruled as appropriate a €56,000 Injuries Board assessment of damages for an 11-year-old schoolgirl who seriously injured her left elbow after falling from monkey bars into a foam pit at a Dublin fun park.

Halle Carney, through her father James Carney, of Annamoe Drive, Cabra, Dublin 7, had submitted a damages claim for assessment to the Injuries Board, the independent state body which assesses personal injury compensation, against Bounce N Beyond Limited, Grange, Ballyboughal, Dublin.

Barrister David Richardson, counsel for Halle, told Judge Terence O’Sullivan in the Circuit Civil Court today Tuesday that while legal proceedings had not yet issued against the defendant he was seeking a court ruling on the adequacy or otherwise of the Injuries Board’s assessment.

Mr Richardson, who appeared with Shane Walsh of Anthony Joyce Solicitors, said medical reports from Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons Enda Kelly, Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and Shane O’Neill of the Mater University Hospital had been submitted to Injuries Board assessors.

Judge O’Sullivan heard that on July 4, 2023 Halle had been at what was claimed to be Ireland’s largest indoor trampoline and ninja park, which boasts almost a dozen play zones and party rooms as well as a restaurant and coffee shop, when the incident happened.

She had been using overhead monkey bars when she had fallen, fracturing her left elbow in two places on landing in the pit. Having been taken to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, tension band wires had been surgically inserted and later removed prior to intensive physiotherapy. She had been left with a mild surgical scar.

Mr Richardson told the court that Halle had made a complete functional recovery and had returned to all of her social activities including dancing and said he, Halle and her father were happy to recommend the court’s approval of the assessment of €55,000, which would be paid into court to her credit, in general damages and €1,333 hospital and medical fees which would be paid out to her solicitor.

Counsel said Halle had been categorized as somebody who was at mild to moderate risk of osteoarthritis as a result of her injury. Mr Richardson added that under the current personal injury guidelines it was possible convincing arguments could be made on her behalf for compensation between €40,000 and €72,500.

Judge O’Sullivan approved of the Board’s assessment of compensation.