A 71 year old charity worker suffered a broken hip whilst shopping at her local Marks & Spencers, which required an eight day stay in the local hospital.
Janet Morritt who works for the Macmillan Cancer Charity, was shopping in the store when she slipped after stepping in a puddle. The slip caused her to fall against a display stand and unable to save herself she ended up on the floor.
Mrs. Morritt, required an emergency operation after the incident and now has a metal plate in her hip, she is unable to walk far without the assistance of a walking stick and for longer journeys requires the use of a wheelchair.
A prawn cocktail spill which originated from the salad counter created the puddle which caused the accident. Mrs. Morritts’ legal team claimed that the store was negligent and had exposed her to unnecessary risk.
Marks & Spencer disputed Mrs. Morritts claim stating that the pensioner had a “duty to watch where she placed her feet”.
Following a Court ruling the retail giant was ordered to pay Mrs. Morritt £7,500 in compensation.
A man who was involved in Britain’s nuclear test programme which took place over a fifteen year period from 1952 to 1967. Has discovered his health records are to be studied by the Government in the event of his death.
David Whyte was shocked to discover he had been included in a mortality study which will give Government scientists access to his medical records when he dies.
Mr. Whyte was amongst 20,000 ex-servicemen who witnessed the atmospheric nuclear testing, which took part in areas of the Pacific Ocean.
Over a thousand veterans are currently involved in a compensation battle with the Ministry of Defence, claiming that they were exposed to dangerously high levels of radiation during the testing, which affected not only their health but the health of their children and grandchildren.
The M.O.D is disputing the claims, stating that the high incidence of cancers and genetic defects amongst the ex-servicemen and their families was merely a coincidence.
Mr Whyte was based on Christmas Island in 1958 and his duties involved clearing up debris left by the detonation of five bombs. In later life he developed stomach problems and became sterile.
David’s inclusion in the research only came to light when he used the Freedom of Information Act to discover he had been included in the mysterious mortality study. The ex-army engineer, said: “To find out you will be included in medical research you have not agreed to after you’ve died is horrifying.”
A skier, who badly damaged his left leg while competing in a World Cup race in 2008, is to sue the hospital where he received treatment.
Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger broke both his shin and fibula when he crashed during the World Cup event; the crash also caused major damage to blood vessels, which severely restricted blood circulation in the damaged limb.
He received treatment for his injuries at a specialised clinic in Oslo but due to complications the decision was made to amputate, just below the left knee.
Lanzingers lawyers are now claiming that the treatment the skier received was incorrect and was responsible for bringing his promising Alpine Ski career to a premature end.
Organisers of the World Cup event also came under criticism for what was described as a shocking lack of safety measures. No medical helicopter was available to transport the skier to hospital; Lanzinger had to be taken in a helicopter used by tourists. Alfred Gusenbauer, the Austrian Chancellor commented at the time, “I can’t understand how a World Cup race could be organized at such a low safety level.”
A spokesperson representing Lanzingers legal team said that the claim could take several months making it too early to discuss the amount of compensation involved.
Greater Manchester Police could be facing a hefty compensation claim after officers crashed a high powered sports car into two luxury gardens.
The high powered 270 bhp Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII which can do 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds was confiscated from its owner in the early hours of the morning, when police had suspicions that the driver had been driving under the influence of alcohol.
The man was arrested and a recovery vehicle was called for to remove the Mitsubishi Evo. At this point the two police constables at the scene decided to drive the vehicle along Hale Road, where they came to an abrupt stop after smashing into a garden wall and flipping the sports car onto its side.
An ambulance called to the accident spot took one of the officers to Wythenshawe Hospital, as a precaution for the relatively minor injuries he received, the other police constable was said to be badly shaken.
Both of the officers have been suspended from their duties pending an investigation into the incident. Divisional Commander, Chief Supt Mark Roberts said; “Thankfully, no members of the public were injured. I would like to apologise to residents if this incident has caused any problems or inconvenience.”
Pensioner Mary Lomas whose garden was one of those extensively damaged in the incident commented; “I am relieved that nobody was hurt but I do hope they can put all this to rights.”
A police officer who suffered personal injury apprehending a man in Birmingham is to sue the force for compensation.
Richard Gardner had been in the police force for twelve years when he suffered injuries to his knees and back during a struggle with a man in Birmingham City Centre, the Birmingham Mail is reporting.
Mr. Gardner required multiple operations on his knees following the incident and had to take several months off work.
After making several attempts to return to his duties the former police officer claims that West Midlands Police made no allowances for his disability, caused by the injuries he received whilst on duty, and as a result he was forced to resign.
The ex-police officer stated; “I was accused of not telling the truth about my injuries and attempts were made to get me back to work although I was totally unfit, I believe there was a manipulation by the police and the medical process in assessing my condition.”
Mr. Gardner maintains that the force could have found him less demanding duties and possibly reduced his working hours in view of his disability.
West Midlands Police are disputing the compensation claim.
Concerns over the controversial MMR vaccination, have resurfaced after a teenager who requires round the clock care was awarded £90,000 compensation.
Robert Fletcher, 18 of Golborne, near Wigan, had a severe convulsion 10 days after receiving the combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine, when he was just over a year old. He now requires constant care, is unable to speak, feed himself or stand without assistance and also suffers recurrent epileptic fits.
A medical panel decided that the MMR vaccine was to blame for Roberts’s condition, a decision which will re-ignite the controversy surrounding Dr Andrew Wakefield, who in 1998 suggested a link between MMR and autism. His remark advocating that parents should opt for single injections for measles, mumps and rubella led to a massive drop in the number of children actually being inoculated against these diseases.
Dr. Wakefield was subsequently discredited and struck off the medical register. Speaking at the time, he said: “I have been asked to go because my research results are unpopular.”
The Department of Health said; “The safety of MMR has been endorsed through numerous studies in many countries. Thankfully, more parents are having their children vaccinated with MMR and consider it as safe as other childhood vaccines.”
A recent outbreak of measles in Wilmslow, Cheshire has been blamed on children not being inoculated against the disease. Dr Sam Ghebrehewet of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health Protection Unit said; “Measles is potentially a very serious – and on rare occasions fatal – disease.”
It would appear that due to conflicting evidence that parents have once again been put in the dilemma of whether or not to have their children vaccinated
A teenager paralysed after being hit by a bus, is seeking compensation for his injuries. Nineteen year old Ben Woodham is hoping to receive £2 to £3 million pounds if his claim is successful, reports the Bury Free Press.
Ben from Thurston, Bury St. Edmunds was travelling on his motor scooter on the A143 at Great Barton, when he was hit by a mini-coach which threw him up onto the windscreen causing head and chest injuries and a fractured spine. He was rushed to the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury and was later transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge where surgeons operated on his spine.
Ben’s injuries were so severe that he is now paralysed from the chest down. He is claiming compensation to include, damages for the pain and suffering caused, his loss of earnings and for his ongoing medical care and equipment.
Insurers representing the coach company JM Turner who trade as Turners of Great Barton are denying any legal responsibility for the accident.
Ben is asking the High Court in London to decide liability claiming that the bus driver Sarah Turner was driving too fast, failed to give way and made an unsafe manoeuvre.
A student nurse suffered horrific injuries when she was knocked off her motorcycle. Lisa Bennett was travelling to work for her first night shift at St Ann’s Hospital when she was involved in a collision with a car, reports the Bournemouth Echo.
Her injuries included a broken shoulder, broken ribs and a fractured spine but more devastatingly her right leg had to be amputated just below the knee. Lisa now wears a prosthetic limb but due to severe pain caused by the damage done to her nerves still has to rely on a wheelchair.
“My life has changed forever. I lost my leg, my dream career, my whole way of life,” said the ex-student nurse. Lisa was assisted in her compensation claim by her union Unison who helped secure the £800,000 compensation after the car driver admitted liability.
The actual out of court settlement was for £1 million but 20% was deducted because Lisa’s motorcycle light wasn’t working at the time of the accident and was said to be ‘contributory negligence’.
A spokesperson from Lisa’s legal team commented; “All her work to pursue a new career as a nurse has been wasted and instead she has had to learn how to cope with her dramatically changed personal circumstances.”
The Ministry of Defence has paid a former bomb disposal expert over £100,000 in compensation, the former soldier who cannot be named suffers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is a psychological and physical disorder brought about by exposure to stressful, frightening events.
During his military career the ex-serviceman served in the Gulf War and Northern Ireland, his duties included disarming bombs and dealing with events following terrorist attacks.
He was officially diagnosed with PTSD in 2004, five years after being given the all clear by an army psychiatrist in 1999; this delay left the ex-soldier vulnerable to even more stressful events claimed his legal team, which led to his eventual nervous breakdown.
“I feel that treatment or at least monitoring may have prevented my eventual breakdown” claimed the former bomb disposal expert, who was unable to work after his condition led to him being medically discharged by the army.
The MOD fought the claim for over four years, before settling out of court for the six figure sum. However the landmark decision could lead to thousands of ex-serviceman suffering with PTSD making claims, which could result in an eventual compensation bill running into millions of pounds.
A ‘Paint Mixer’ from South Yorkshire has been awarded £3,760 compensation after breathing in toxic fumes.
Eric Drummond from Rotherham was combining a mixture of chemicals to be used in a paste for a heating system but felt poorly immediately after finishing his work and removing his mask and gloves, he became dizzy and later passed out. An ambulance was called and Mr. Drummond was rushed to Rotherham Hospital.
“The hospital said the fumes I’d inhaled in had left traces of the chemicals in my blood, so even after I was discharged from hospital I continued to suffer for some time” said Eric.
After almost three months of being unable to work Mr Drummond has now received compensation for the personal injuries he suffered and for loss of earnings after the company he worked for, ‘Rotherham Refinishing Supplies’ admitted liability.
The case highlights the need for adequate ventilation when working with potentially hazardous chemicals. Toxic fumes can build up quickly and it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees working in a dangerous environment can do so as safely as possible.
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