Dad-of-two Anthony Lynch, of Dromroe in Rhebogue, Co Limerick, claimed general damages as a result of a road traffic accident near Thomond Bridge in the city on March 26 last year.

The 38-year-old told Judge James O’Donohue that while he was stopped at a junction in his work van, a car “came out of nowhere” and collided with his vehicle from behind, resulting in a significant impact.

Limerick Circuit Court heard he previously sued for:

  • Swallowing a bone buried in a chicken nugget
  • Chewing on horsemeat when burgers and other meals became contaminated with nags (€7,500)
  • A wonky toilet seat (€20,000)
  • Being exposed to noxious fumes (€13,000)

In the crash case before the court on the Thursday, his van was written off and after he phoned his boss he was told to stay in the driver’s seat as the other driver sped off from the scene, mounting the kerb and hitting the wall of Thomond Bridge as he left.

Lynch was on disability benefit for an earlier back injury and only allowed to work for a limited number of hours.

He went to his GP the following day and had to endure six months of neck, shoulder and lower back pain. There were also “psychological issues” and he was still receiving pain management injections.

During cross-examination by counsel for Liberty Insurance, Emmett O’Brien BL, the court heard details of Lynch’s eight previous claims spanning 15 years.

He suffered an injury to his back as a result of a bed collapsing under him in January of last year but no legal proceedings arose out that incident.

References were also made to an incident where Lynch swallowed a chicken bone while eating a chicken nugget.

Previously, the court heard that Mr Lynch secured damages after a “trip and fall accident” on August 13, 2013 where he successfully sued Eircom and was awarded €12,000 plus legal costs.

In January 2013, he sued Silvercrest Foods and was awarded €7,500 after he claimed he ate horse meat the day the scandal broke in Ireland.

In December 2010, he sued over a road traffic accident and was awarded €20,000 plus legal costs.

In July 2010, he also initiated proceedings against Homebase House and Garden Centre Limerick after he had an accident involving a defective toilet seat. He was awarded €20,000 all in.

In 2008, he sued Limerick City Council in a case where he claimed he was exposed to noxious fumes. Mr Lynch was awarded €13,000 plus his legal costs.

An accident at work, led Mr Lynch to sue Limerick Bread Company and subsequently he was awarded €11,000 plus his legal costs.

In January 2001 he was involved in a road traffic accident and a law suit resulted in the father of two being awarded €14,000 plus costs.

In March 1998, a case was also initiated by Lynch and he was successfully awarded €6,000 plus legal costs over a road traffic accident.

He was also involved in an accident in 1996 but the matter did not proceed before court.

Mr O’Brien put it to him that he had five previous cases relating to injuries suffered to his shoulder, neck and lower back and those worsened his injuries on each occasion.

In his ruling, Judge O’Donohue said that Lynch was a “very unfortunate accident prone individual”.

“He has been well compensated in the past,” Judge O’Donohue added as he awarded Mr Lynch €10,000 and legal costs.

If you need help with regard to an accident then don’t hesitate to get in contact with Fin at info@fodsolicitors.ie or phone 1890 998 911.

Source: http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/unfortunate-accident-prone-irishman-awarded-9328602