A coffee shop compensation claim action has been approved at the High Court €41,000 due to baby being allowed to pull a bowl of hot soup on top of himself in a coffee shop and sustained major burns.
The boy, Otto Devine, was aged just six months when the accident occurred, leaving the boy with superficial scald burns to his arms and legs at a coffee shop at the Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Dublin. The accident occurred when the boy was with his father and grandfather on May 10, 2015. The legal representative, Carl Hanahoe BL, advised Justice Kevin Cross that the hot soup and sandwiches were put down in front of the baby on the table. The young child was able to pull the bowl down on top of himself, spilling the hot liquid.
Otto was brought by ambulance to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin to have his injuries treated. Medics diagnosed him with partial thickness burns to his hands, his left leg and right foot. There was also a redness to the right side of his face right hand and the inside of his left elbow. it was found that 3% of the boy’s body were covered with burns. He attended a subsequent appointment with the plastic surgery department . Here, his wounds were cleaned out and sterile dressings were placed on them.
Otto spent eight days in hospital. He suffered early toxic shock syndrome and developed a fever two days after his admission. Once the fever alleviated he was sent home on May 18, 2015. Due to the incident, Otto was left with three areas of minor scarring, the court was informed.
His (Otto’s) legal representatives told the judge that the soup should not have been brought to the table, and placed in front of the child, at a temperature which would inflict serious burns. The personal injury compensation claim was taken on behalf of Otto by his father, Conor Devine, against the Airfield Estate due to the accident. Justice Kevin Cross gave his approval for the settlement that was mediated and said that he was satisfied happy that Otto had made a good recovery from significant burns.
