Litigation Personal Injury 11/06/96

Pasfield v South Essex Health Authority - QBD 20 May 1996

Claimant: Maureen Pasfield, 55

Incident: Medical negligence

Injuries: Claimant, an auxiliary nurse, slipped on wet grass and fractured her ankle and lower leg; claimed she was fitted with a "tubigrip" bandage, prescribed painkillers and told to exercise her ankle, when she should have been put in plaster; claims ankle failed to mend as a result and pain became worse; X-rays finally revealed severe disruption of ankle joint and onset of osteoarthritis; claimant has since had to undergo bone fusion surgery and now suffers serious mobility problems

Award: £150,000 (agreed damages)

Judge: Mr Justice Holland

Plaintiff's solicitors: Gadsby Wicks (Chelmsford)



Spencer v Rhodes - QBD 21 May 1996

Claimant: Richard Spencer, 35

Incident: Road traffic accident

Injuries: Left leg amputated below knee; 11 operations since the accident in 1990; still suffers discomfort and phantom pains in leg; claimant was highly-skilled carpenter and site foreman before accident, and a keen sportsman and DIY enthusiast; now unable to carry out former work or pastimes

Award: £500,000 (agreed damages)

Judge: Mr Justice Langley

Plaintiff's solicitors: Fancy & Jackson (Camberley)



Cable v Ministry of Defence - QBD 16 May 1996

Claimant: Peter Kenneth Cable, 58

Incident: Asbestosis

Injuries: Former dockyard worker at Portsmouth contracted asbestosis while working for MoD from 1953 to 1993; retired early on health grounds; now suffers from asbestosis and fibrosis of the linings of his lungs; condition is likely to deteriorate in the future; at risk of developing lung cancer or Mesothelioma

Award: £60,000 (agreed damages)

Judge: Mr Justice Gage

Plaintiff's solicitors: Rowley Ashworth