Aer Lingus pilot to receive €15,300 award after finger crushed by air bridge door

An Aer Lingus pilot who suffered a finger crush injury when a door slammed against him in high winds while he was on an air bridge, has been awarded E30,600 damages against his employer and airport operator DAA. However, Judge James McCourt told Captain Simon Moody in the Circuit Civil Court that he was 50% responsible for the incident and reduced the award to E15,300 and costs, telling the defendants they could each pay half of the sum. Barrister Pat O’Brien, counsel Capt Moody, told the court his client had just finished inspecting the exterior of his aircraft prior to take-off when a gust of wind propelled him through the doorway of the air bridge and pushed the security door against his finger. Barristers Fred Gilligan, for Aer Lingus, and Shane English, for DAA, cross-examined Capt Moody and his forensic engineer, Alan Conlan, regarding liability for the January 2012 incident under the E38,000 pre-existing Circuit Court jurisdiction. Capt Moody, of Blackwood Lawn, Ongar, Dublin 15, said there were strong gusts as he was passing from a ramp through the air bridge and the door slammed shut on his finger. He said there was a previous incident involving the same door in high winds but he received no warning from either defendant with regard to any potential safety issues. He said the door was fitted with a closer but it nevertheless slammed shut on him and was somehow defective.<br/>