Retired barrister and Irish bridge player awarded over €94,000 following M50 accident
By Ann O'Loughlin
A retired barrister whose car was rear-ended on the M50 Motorway has been awarded €94,757 damages by the High Court.
Mr Justice Anthony Barr said Barbara Seligam gave a fair and accurate account of her injuries since the accident in 2014 and had not tried to exaggerate her symptoms at all.
If anything, the judge said Ms Seligman tended to underplay her symptoms and the difficulties which they caused her at a particularly distressing time in her life when her late husband was terminally ill.
Mr Justice Barr said he was also satisfied Ms Seligman was at " the very opposite end of the spectrum to what may be termed a malingerer."
The judge said she had dealt with other very serious health issues and faced them with great courage and that she had gone on to live for almost ten years after receiving a terminal diagnosis of cancer giving her only three weeks to live. This the judge said was testament to her determination and resilience.
Barbara Seligman (79) who lives in Co Wexford had sued the car driver Krzysztok Kuiatkowski and car owner Marlena Jakubiec both of Upper Dargle Road, Bray, Co Wicklow as a result of the accident on the M50 motorway on December 12, 2014. The case was before the court for assessment of damages only.
Mr Justice Anthony Barr said the impact between the vehicles was quite severe and Ms Seligman's car was shunted into the car in front and it, in turn, was shunted into the car in front of it.
As a result of the impact, Ms Seligman experienced pain and bruising to the left side of her chest and ribs and there was also bruising on her leg and thigh.
Over the following days she experienced more severe pain and in 2015 her neck and back continued to be very painful.
The judge said he accepted Ms Seligman's evidence she remains significantly disabled in the ordinary aspects of her life and in particular her ability to drive long distances has been reduced. Her ability to ascend stairs has been also greatly compromised.
Ms Seligman, the court had heard is an accomplished bridge player who had represented Ireland at senior level on 22 occasions in the past.
