A 26-year-old woman has been awarded a settlement of €7m in the High Court for catastrophic injuries received in a car crash five years ago.
The settlement is one of the highest ever awards in a personal injuries case.
Valerie Bourke from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, received multiple injuries after an articulated truck crashed into her car on the Carrick-on-Suir to Waterford Road on 13 May, 2006. She was on her way to a 21st birthday party at the time.
She sued the driver of the truck, Patrick Holden of Stream, Aglish, Carigeen, Waterford, and its owner, Stefan Gilchrist, of Clonmore, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, for negligence.
The court heard that Valerie was deaf from birth but had overcome her difficulties and learned sign language. She was looking forward to a full life when the crash happened.
However, after the accident she remained in hospital for a year, can no longer use sign language to communicate and needs round the clock care from her parents and carers in a purpose-built extension to their home.
After today's settlement, her parents Catherine and Kieran Bourke, a Fianna Fáil councillor, said they were happy with today's settlement.
