A Garda who suffered shoulder injuries after an assault by a woman in a patrol car has been awarded €40,000 in compensation at the High Court.

The Garda, a mother-of-two stationed in the north-west of the country, was kicked in the left shoulder by the woman, who had been arrested after a domestic disturbance in August 2011, and was left  with long-term injuries which are still affecting her seven years later.

Counsel for the Garda told a Garda Compensation Hearing that her client had been driving her patrol car with the “aggressive and abusive” arrested woman in the back seat when she kicked her in the back of the left shoulder.

She was treated for soft tissue injuries at a nearby hospital and advised to seek physiotherapy. She returned to work after a period off but was only able to perform light duties due to ongoing stiffness and pain in her shoulder and neck

The court heard that the Garda had developed post-traumatic rotator cup tendonitis in her shoulder and suffered significant pain for three years, which had caused her to have difficulty nursing her young children. The shoulder still gave her “occasional twitches of pain” more than seven years after the incident.

Counsel told the court that the Garda had aggravated the injury while doing baton training after having to hold a heavy shield in her left hand. She also experienced difficulties while performing traffic duties.

The Garda told the court that she had since taken a year’s career break and had been unable to take any painkillers during her two pregnancies. She told the court that she is now expecting again and will not be able to take any painkillers during the pregnancy.

The court heard that the Garda had undergone more than 20 sessions of physiotherapy on her shoulder at a cost of over €4,000. The High Court judge said that the Garda came across as a genuine witness who had made light of her difficulties after the injury.

The judge awarded the Garda damages of just under €40,000. If you have been injured in the course of performing your duties, speak to your solicitor. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

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A Garda who suffered shoulder injuries after an assault by a woman in a patrol car has been awarded €40,000 in compensation at the High Court.

The Garda, a mother-of-two stationed in the north-west of the country, was kicked in the left shoulder by the woman, who had been arrested after a domestic disturbance in August 2011, and was left  with long-term injuries which are still affecting her seven years later.

Counsel for the Garda told a Garda Compensation Hearing that her client had been driving her patrol car with the “aggressive and abusive” arrested woman in the back seat when she kicked her in the back of the left shoulder.

She was treated for soft tissue injuries at a nearby hospital and advised to seek physiotherapy. She returned to work after a period off but was only able to perform light duties due to ongoing stiffness and pain in her shoulder and neck

The court heard that the Garda had developed post-traumatic rotator cup tendonitis in her shoulder and suffered significant pain for three years, which had caused her to have difficulty nursing her young children. The shoulder still gave her “occasional twitches of pain” more than seven years after the incident.

Counsel told the court that the Garda had aggravated the injury while doing baton training after having to hold a heavy shield in her left hand. She also experienced difficulties while performing traffic duties.

The Garda told the court that she had since taken a year’s career break and had been unable to take any painkillers during her two pregnancies. She told the court that she is now expecting again and will not be able to take any painkillers during the pregnancy.

The court heard that the Garda had undergone more than 20 sessions of physiotherapy on her shoulder at a cost of over €4,000. The High Court judge said that the Garda came across as a genuine witness who had made light of her difficulties after the injury.

The judge awarded the Garda damages of just under €40,000. If you have been injured in the course of performing your duties, speak to your solicitor. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

Contact us for more information