Publication
50651 (13 May 2022)
From Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
Published on
Last updated on
From Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
Published on
Last updated on
File Number – 50651
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal
Applicant: [ ]
Date of incident: [ ]
Date application received: [ ]
On the [ ] the Applicant was standing with his girlfriend in [ ] getting ready to walk her home when [ ] used a [ ] at the Applicant which struck him in the eye. The Applicant could not see out of his eye and therefore had to attend [ ] Hospital. From there he was transferred to the [ ] Hospital. As a result of the incident the Applicant has suffered nearly a total loss of vision in his left eye. The Applicant submitted that he was earning €300 per week prior to the injury and he a trainee apprentice in [ ] Services. As a result of the incident the Applicant did not resume his trade. The Applicant did not receive any social welfare as a result of the incident as he was not aware of any entitlement. The Applicant had the benefit of a medical card. The Applicant submitted that he incurred expenses of approximately €120 as travel expenses although he has no vouchers available in this regard. The Tribunal had the benefit of a medical report from Mr [ ] Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon dated the [ ]. Mr. [ ] outlined that the Applicant has vision of 6 out of 60 which equates to legal blindness in his left eye. Mr. [ ] opined that the Applicant would need ongoing review and he is liable to develop further complications such as glaucoma following the severe nature of the blunt injury to his left eye. Mr. [ ] said that there was no prospect for the return of vision in the left eye and this would preclude him from certain types of employment including an employment where three dimensional vision was required. The Applicant submitted a medical bill from Mr. [ ] in the sum of €350, a receipt in the sum of €30 for Vision Opticians, a receipt for €129 from Specsavers. By letter dated the [ ] the Tribunal wrote to the Applicant’s solicitor and required further information in relation to the claim for loss of earnings.. The Applicant’s solicitors reverted and explained that they were awaiting further information from the Applicant’s previous employer and the P60 from the Applicant. By letter dated the [ ] the Applicant’s solicitor explained that they were still awaiting details of loss of income from the Applicant. By letter dated the [ ] the Applicant’s solicitor confirmed that they had sent numerous reminders to the Applicant’s previous employers but had had no success in eliciting a response from them. The Applicant never reverted with details of his loss of earnings or what he had been earning prior to the incident or any actuarial report or any report from an occupational therapist indicating that the incident had impacted on the Applicant’s prospects. In the absence of any detailed information in respect of the Applicant’s claim the Tribunal makes an award in the sum of €509 for the receipts set out above together.
Dated: 13 May 2022
Signed: Mema Byrne BL