Bolden v Waltham Forest Health Authority – QBD 22 September 1997
Claimant: Lucy Bolden, Incident: Medical negligence
Injuries: Claimant suffered oxygen starvation during her birth at Whipps Cross Hospital in August 1991 resulting in acute cerebral palsy. She has virtually no independent movement and very limited intelligence, although court was told it was hard to detect the extent of her awareness. Life expectancy limited
Award: £1,319,115 (agreed damages)
Judge: Mr Justice Blofeld
Plaintiff's counsel: Adrian Whitfield QC
Plaintiff's solicitor: Field Fisher Waterhouse
Loftis v Bayham & anor – QBD 3 October 1997
Claimant: Brian Loftis, 3Incident: Road traffic accident
Injuries: Claimant, a father of three, was knocked off his motorbike by an on-coming tractor. he suffered a "moderately severe head injury" which left him with long-term epilepsy. His balance, sense of smell and cognitive functions are also impaired. Most serious after-effects of accident said to have been behavioural changes and transformation of character which manifested itself in the form of apathy and, at times, aggression. Before the accident he was said to be a healthy and vigorous man who loved life and was devoted to his family
Award: £750,000 (agreed damages)
Judge: Judge Richard Walker QC
Plaintiff's counsel: Richard Davis QC
Plaintiff's solicitor: Cunningham John & Co
Evans v Booker Fitch Food Services Ltd – QBD 26 September 1997
Claimant: Ronnie Evans, 43
Incident: Accident at work
Injuries: Claimant lost balance while attempting to drag pallets forward to load on to a truck and fell nearly 18 feet from a fork-lift truck. He was in a coma for four days after the accident and sustained serious head injuries resulting in cognitive difficulties, lack of concentration, aggressive temper outbursts and silent moods. In approving the settlement, the judge said he did not consider claimant would have been likely to receive more had the case gone on
Award: £240,540 (agreed damages)
Judge: Mr Justice Toulson
Plaintiff's counsel: David Bradly
Plaintiff's solicitor: Osborne Morris & Morgan