The family of a man who it was claimed allegedly slipped and fell on a marble staircase at a Cork wedding venue and who was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury has settled a High Court action for €250,000.
Engineer John Rooney had been attending a wedding with his wife Penny at the Ballynatray Estate, Youghal, Co Cork when the accident happened on June 9th, 2018.
The Rooney family counsel, Barney Quirke SC, told the High Court Mr Rooney died two years later in 2020. His legal action was then taken over by his widow and it became a fatal claim in relation to a claim for loss of financial dependency. Counsel said there were complexities in the claim and difficulties in relation to liability in the case.
The settlement is without an admission of liability.
Penny Rooney, of Westport, Co Mayo, had sued Henry Gwyn Jones, of Ballnatray Estate, Lackaroe, Youghal, Co Cork.
Mr Rooney, it was claimed, slipped and fell as went down a marble staircase leading to a downstairs toilet at around 10pm at night. Mr Rooney, who was aged 69, allegedly struck his head on the marble staircase, and it was claimed he suffered catastrophic brain injuries.
In his action he had claimed there was an alleged failure to maintain the staircase so that it did not present a falling hazard to visitors and there was an alleged failure to have sufficient or adequate handrails or lighting. All the claims were denied.
Mr Rooney allegedly fell three or four steps from the bottom of the stairs, striking his head and he was knocked unconscious. He was taken to Cork University Hospital and later transferred to a Dublin hospital for specialist care.
The father of five and a grandfather of six was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. He underwent two brain surgeries.
It was claimed he had suffered a catastrophic, life changing brain injury, could not communicate and had a severe cognitive impairment. He had to be cared for in a nursing home.
Mr Quirke told the court there was also a risk in the case of a claim of alleged contributory negligence against Mr Rooney.
Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the settlement.
