Dublin girl (5) awarded €50,000 after tripping over Ikea trolley

It was claimed Sophie Jennings tripped and fell over a trolley allegedly left unattended

It was claimed the child tripped and fell over a trolley allegedly left unattended on the floor of the shop. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
It was claimed the child tripped and fell over a trolley allegedly left unattended on the floor of the shop. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

A child who hit her head after tripping over a trolley in Ikea has settled her High Court action for some €50,000.

Sophie Jennings was aged just two when the accident, in which she suffered a gash to her head, happened in the Dublin store in 2013.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told she has been left with a 7mm scar near her right eye.

Through her father David Jennings, Sophie, now aged five, from Tallaght, Dublin, sued Ikea Ireland ltd, operator of the Ikea store at St Margarets Road, Ballymun, Dublin, as a result of the accident on November 17, 2013.

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It was claimed the child tripped and fell over a trolley allegedly left unattended on the floor of the shop.

It was further alleged there was failure to maintain clear access along the aisles for customers and failure to properly supervise and control the location of trolleys and stock.

The claims were denied.

Finbar Fox SC, for the child, said she suffered a laceration of the day and has a 7mm scar at the inner angle of her right eye as a result of the accident.

It was not a significant injury, the court heard.

Mr Justice Cross was told the case coincided with the child’s fifth birthday. Approving a total award of €50,800, the judge said €200 could be paid out immediately for the child.

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan is the Legal Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Times