Car inspector gets €65,000 after being ‘rear-ended’ in test centre

A CAR TESTING centre inspector who was rear-ended while carrying out an inspection of a vehicle has been awarded €65,000 by the High Court for injuries he suffered in the accident.

Fabian Karra (34), a native of South Africa with an address at Cianlea, Blainroe Upper, Co Wicklow, was testing the brakes on a Toyota Avensis in the test centre at Deansgrange Business Park in Cabinteely, Dublin, on March 18, 2014.

A Mini Cooper driven by a co-worker collided with the rear of the Toyota on which he was working.

He sued his employers, Applus Car Testing Service Ltd, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin, and Gill Hansi, the co-worker and fellow employee of Applus.

It was claimed, among other things, there was a failure to have adequate regard for the fact that the Toyota was on the “brake rollers” in the test centre, a failure to keep an adequate lookout, and failure to drive with due care.

Injuries

The claims were denied in court. Mr Karra claimed he suffered neck, shoulder and left arm injuries as a result of the accident.

Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, who said it was an unusual accident, awarded him €65,226.

He said Mr Kappa suffered “appreciable distress” in relation to his family and work life as a result of the injuries.

The judge said the greater part of the award, €50,000, was for pain and suffering to date while he awarded €12,000 for pain and suffering into the future. The remainder was made up of agreed special damages.

The case was adjourned for a week to allow the defence consider whether to seek a stay on the award pending appeal.