A Derry school canteen assistant who sliced open her wrist while drying a cup years ago is to receive nearly £30,000 in damages.
Catherine Rooney is to receive the payout after a High Court judge today decided that cleaning the mug fell within regulations of “work equipment”.
Mrs Rooney had been washing up in the kitchen area at St Anne’s Primary School in Derry’s Upper Nassau Street in March 2011.
The court heard that the handle on a mug broke off and sliced into her lower arm, damaging a tendon.
She later underwent surgery on her injuries at the Ulster Hospital in east Belfast and was off work for about a year.
She had taken off her gloves while drying the crockery.
In her action against the Western Education and Library Board it was accepted that her induction training did not include using gloves while drying items.
Mrs Rooney’s lawyers argued that a cup does constitute equipment.
The WELB rejected this saying it did not come within a list of work tools.
The judge ruled that that pots, pans, cups and glasses being used to provide food and drink at the school fell within the regulations and found in her favour.
The court heard that Mrs Rooney had been left with a permanent scar.
The £30,000 payout included £25,000 general damages, a further £1,944 in special damages and £3,776 in lost earnings.
Her legal costs will be met by WELB.
It may appeal the case and has 28 days to lodge appeal papers.
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