Medic settles trauma case over death

A PARAMEDIC who sued following an accident in which a friend fell to his death from the side door of an ambulance has settled his damages claim.

PJ Cahill, 49, had brought the legal action against the HSE and the German manufacturer of the ambulance, claiming he suffered psychological injuries as a result of trauma.

Fellow paramedic Simon Sexton died in the accident in June 2010.

After two days of evidence, Mr Justice Raymond Fullam was yesterday told by Miriam Reilly SC, for Mr Cahill, the case had been settled between the parties. The amount of compensation to be paid remained confidential.

The High Court had heard Mr Cahill had been driving the ambulance from Cavan to Dublin when Mr Sexton got up to secure a side door of the vehicle.

The court heard the rear-hinged door suddenly swung wide open and Mr Sexton was thrown from the ambulance, striking the road and sustaining fatal head injuries.

Mr Cahill, who had seen his friend’s fall from his side mirror, tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Sexton. The court heard Mr Cahill, from Stradone, Co. Cavan, suffered survivor’s guilt.

He alleged there had been a failure in the duty of care to him, and that the ambulance was unsafe. The HSE and Wietmarscher Ambulanz Und Sonderfahrzeug GMBH denied the claims.