Litigation Personal Injury 05/11/96

Black v Webb & anr - QBD, 9 October 1996

Claimant: Michael Black, 6Incident: Road traffic accident

Injuries: Claimant, a world acclaimed sculptor, injured when his car was struck from behind by a baker's van on the M4 in 1991. Incident said to have resulted in injuries that have taken away his ability to work. Defendants admitted liability for the accident but claimed his back problems pre-dated the crash.

Award: £67,497 (agreed damages)

Judge: Mr Justice Morland

Counsel for plaintiff: Miss Jean Ritchie QC

Solicitors for plaintiff: Stephens Innocent

Counsel for defendant: G Anthony

Solicitors for the defendants: AE Wyeth & Co



Hayward v Oxfordshire Health Authority - QBD, 21 October 1996

Claimant: Elizabeth Hayward, 4Incident: Nurse's back injury

Injuries: Nurse claimed to have injured back lifting patient. Judge rejected claims the health authority had negligently "tolerated" manual lifting because patient found use of hoists too painful: claimant should have used correct lifting technique.

Award: Claim dismissed

Judge: John Crowley QC (sitting as deputy judge)

Counsel for plaintiff: Charles Pugh

Solicitors for plaintiff: Douglas Mann & Co



Healey v Coates - QBD, 21 October 1996

Claimants: Norman Healey, 51; Deborah Healey, 35; Laura Healey, nine; Sophie Healey, eight; Rebecca Healey, six.

Incident: Road traffic accident

Injuries: Claimants were parents and three children of same family. Father and mother were builder and hairdresser respectively and as result of injuries were off work for considerable period. Children escaped with relatively minor injuries.

Awards: All damages agreed - Mr Healey to receive £150,000; Mrs Sterling £15,000; Laura £1,750; Sophie £1,000; Rebecca £2Judge: Mr Justice Moses

Counsel for plaintiff: Philip Noble

Solicitors for plaintiff: John Taylor & Co, Croydon



In The Lawyer 22 October, in the case of Macrae v Hammersmith & Queen Charlotte's Special Health Authority, the plaintiff's solicitors were Owen White & Caitlin solicitors, not Owen White, which is a totally different firm.