A boy who sustained mouth injuries, including fractured teeth while playing basketball, has agreed to settle a High Court case for €60,000.
Alan Burczyk was just 11 years old and taking part in a basketball game with his team when he fell and struck his face off the edge of a bench, reports Breaking News.
His barrister, Aidan Doyle, informed the court that the boy suffered significant dental injuries in the incident on February 1st, 2020.
The child fractured two of his front teeth, and counsel said he required up to 20 dental appointments for follow-up treatment, reports Breaking News.
Counsel added that further dental work may still be necessary in the future.
He also explained that benches were positioned along the wall of the sports hall, and that an engineer engaged by their side maintained it would be preferable to remove them when matches were being played across the hall, reports Breaking News.
Alan Burczyk (now aged 17), of Lucan, Dublin, through his mother Karina Marchwinsk, brought proceedings against Dublin Lions Basketball Club, which has a registered address at Foxborough Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, following the incident in a hall in Clondalkin.
The case alleged there had been a failure to properly safeguard the boy and a failure to relocate the bench from beneath the basketball net, reports Breaking News.
It was further alleged that the bench had been allowed to remain in a hazardous position in the circumstances.
There was also a claim of an alleged failure to ensure that the basketball court and the immediate surrounding area were safe and free from inherent risks, reports Breaking News.
It was stated that the boy did not resume playing basketball for two years after the accident.
All allegations were denied, reports Breaking News.
In approving the agreement, Justice Paul Coffey said the settlement was fair and reasonable.
The judge remarked that it was a significant ordeal for the boy, who had to attend twenty dental appointments for what was undoubtedly painful treatment, reports Breaking News.
Justice Coffey said he was pleased the matter had been resolved and wished the boy every success in the future.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
