Schoolgirl hit with chair by pupil is awarded €22,500

A 14-year-old schoolgirl, who received head and arm injuries when a chair was swung at her by another pupil in a classroom, has been awarded €22,500 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Barrister Tony McKeown told the court that 11-year-old Chloe Joyce was in a classroom with other pupils at Rutland National School, Lower Gloucestor Place, Dublin, when the accident happened in May 2012.

Mr McKeown today said some pupils had been noisy as they were ready to go on a break and one of them had swung a chair which hit Chloe on the arm. She had fallen to the ground, striking her head.

She had later been taken to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin, for X-rays and discharged.

Mr McKeown told Judge Carmel Stewart that Chloe was recalled the following day to the emergency department. Further X-rays showed a non-displaced fracture of her elbow and a back slab had been applied to it.

Counsel said the girl had been shocked by the accident and had experienced discomfort when doing dance routines which involved handstands. She had since recovered from her injury.

Through her mother Geraldine Joyce, of O’Brien Hall, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin, she sued the trustees and board of management of Rutland Street National School alleging negligence and breach of duty.

Judge Stewart approved a settlement offer of €22,500 which had been made by the school board.