Boy who lost tops of fingers in creche door accident settles for €70,000

Isaac D’Alton was aged three when the tops of the third and fourth fingers of his right hand were severed. He passed out in the ambulance as he was taken to hospital. 

 

Now aged eight, Isaac, from Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, had, through his mother Louise D’Alton, sued Wee Care Day Nursery Ltd, which operates a creche and Montessori at Monkstown Avenue, Monkstown, over the accident on September 8th, 2015. 

 

It was claimed his right hand got caught in a door, resulting in a traumatic crush amputation of the tops of two fingers. 

 

It was claimed he was lining up with the other children to get his coat on to go outside and had his fingers in the jamb part of the door frame when another child allegedly closed the door. 

 

Attempts made in hospital to reattach the tops of his fingers under general anaesthetic failed and he had to attend hospital for dressings for six months afterwards. 

 

Jonathon Kilfeather SC, for the boy, said the case was before the court for assessment of damages only and the family were happy with the offer. 

 

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross who examined the boy’s injuries said they “were not as dramatic” as they looked on paper. 

 

It was a very good settlement and he was delighted to hear Isaac is thriving at school, he said.