Swan v Pragnell QBD 2 February 1998
Claimant: Jamie Swan, 18
Incident: Road traffic accident
Injuries: Claimant sustained serious brain injuries when only a few months old while travelling in a car driven by a family friend. The car collided with another car, the driver of which, (the defendant) was convicted of causing death by reckless driving. Judge said that Jamie's mother and step-father had played a vital part in his recovery. He is now studying photography at the Lord Mayor Treloar College, Hampshire
Award: £1,324,389 agreed damages of which claimant's mother is to receive £50,000
Judge: Anthony Tibber
Plaintiff's counsel: Matthias Kelly
Plaintiff's solicitor: Ronald Fletcher Baker & Co
Vasishta v Kingston and Richmond Health Authority QBD 2 February 1998
Claimant: Lynne Vasishta, 37
Incident: Medical negligence
Injuries: Claimant suffered brain damage resulting in personality change following alleged oxygen starvation during gynaecological investigation under general anaesthetic at Kingston Hospital 14 years ago. Despite this, she has managed to bring up a family of five. Health authority agreed to settle claim but disputed negligence on its part
Award: £225,000 agreed damages said to be subject to 25 per cent reduction to take into account difficulties that claimant could have faced in proving claim in fully contested action
Judge: Mr Justice Laws
Plaintiff's counsel: Margaret Bowron
Plaintiff's solicitor: Tuck & Mann
Johnson v Finch & Jones QBD 3 February 1998
Claimant: Linda Johnson, 44
Incident: Road traffic accident
Injuries: Claimant's husband (Ronald Johnson, aged 41) died from multiple injuries after a car crash. His car was hit when a vehicle crashed into another car it was racing in the opposite direction. Other drivers were sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving. Claimant's husband was trapped in the wreckage for over an hour and later died in hospital.
Award: £212,000 awarded to widow £16,000 to 19 year old daughter, £22,000 to 17 year old son
Judge: David Steel QC
Plaintiff's counsel: Deirdre Goodwin
Plaintiff's solicitor: Whitehead Monckton