€42.5k for teen who cut his finger in woodwork class
A TEENAGE boy who cut his finger on a saw during a school woodwork class at school has won €42,500 in compensation.
Robin Reinplu, 17, sued the owners of his school, Arklow CBS in Co. Wicklow, following the accident on January 13, 2016.
His counsel, Michael Byrne SC, said the Leaving Cert student had been using a band saw to cut a piece of wood when he was pushed by another student.
A band saw is a long, sharp-toothed blade stretched in a loop between two or more wheels, generally used to cut timber or metal.
Mr Byrne said Robin’s finger was cut by the blade of the saw.
The court heard that Robin, from The Drive, Meadowvale, Arklow, was taken to his own GP, and then referred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. He was noted to have a two to three centimetre cut on his index finger, and a fracture of his finger tip.
Robin underwent surgery, which included repairing his nail bed, and was left with a sixcentimetre scar.
He was absent school for a number of weeks and also required hand therapy
When his injury was reviewed he reported a loss of sensation and grip, and a difficulty playing basketball.
The scar became painful in cold weather, the court heard.
But Mr Byrne said the injury had healed well and there should be no long-term complications.
It was claimed in Robin’s legal action, which he brought through his father, Reimo Reinplu, that the school was negligent in failing to take any safety precautions.
It was said that it had failed to maintain adequate supervision in the classroom, to prevent Robin from being ‘jokingly’ knocked into by a classmate.
And it was said that the guard on the saw should have been set at a level which would have prevented the boy’s injury.
Robin claimed he had not been taught how to operate the saw safely.
The case was taken against Edmund Rice Schools Trust, the owner and operator of the CBS school.
In its defence of the case, the trust had denied liability.
But Mr Byrne said an offer to settle the case had been made, for €42,500.
Judge Kevin Cross said he would approve the offer made.