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