Man (25) with brain injury after steel jack dislodged at road works fell on him settles action for €4.75m

High Court Reporter

A 25-year-old man who suffered a traumatic brain injury when, it was claimed, he was struck by a steel jack which was dislodged when a car drove by road works has settled a High Court action for €4.75 million.

Karam Ali, his counsel Edward Walsh SC instructed by Connellan Solicitors, told the High Court was a general operative and was working laying ducts on Shantalla Road, Galway city, when the accident happened five years ago.

Counsel said a car struck a steel jack which then collided with Mr Ali. Liability, counsel said, was conceded last year and the case was before the court for assessment of damages only.

The settlement was reached after mediation.

He said Mr Ali suffered an acquired brain injury and now has difficulty with concentration and excess fatigue, and other issues. He had been in this country for eight months when the accident happened.

Karam Ali (25)with an address in Bradford, England, had sued car driver Mohamed El Helali of Barnacranny, Bushy Park, Galway, as a result of the accident on May 1st, 2020.

It was claimed that the car suddenly and without warning struck a steel jack, which in turn hit Mr Ali, and he suffered catastrophic injuries. Mr Ali was wearing a safety helmet, which it was claimed was knocked off in the accident.

It was claimed there was a failure to appreciate the presence of Mr Ali on the roadway and a failure to appreciate that works were ongoing.

It was further claimed that the driver allegedly neglected to look where he was driving and allegedly failed to drive with due care and attention and to proceed cautiously past the works where Mr Ali was working.

There was also, it was contended, a failure to take account of the roadworks and traffic conditions pertaining at the time and to take heed of Mr Ali on the public road.

Mr Ali, who sustained a head injury including fractures to the skull, was taken to hospital in Galway and later transferred to Dublin, where he had to have an operation to remove part of his skull to manage brain swelling due to severe traumatic brain injury.

His family travelled to Ireland to be at his bedside, and he was later transferred to a UK hospital.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable.