Litigation Personal Injury 16/04/96

George v Jacobs and anor - QBD 29 March 1996

Claimant: Linda George, 47

Incident: Medical negligence

Injuries: Claimant left a "bladder cripple" after stitch was inadvertently put into her bladder at end of 1989 hysterectomy; main symptom of mistake is incontinence

Award: £75,000

Judge: Mr Justice Scott Baker

Plaintiff's solicitors: TV

Edwards

Defendant's solicitors: Beachcroft Stanleys



Ellison-Smith v East Berkshire Health Authority - 28 March 1996

Claimant: Joanna Ellison-Smith, 8

Incident: Medical negligence

Injuries: Tumour development in claimant at age of one year diagnosed as meningitis; mistake realised eight months later and emergency surgery carried out; child spent long time in deep coma; now said to be very intelligent but cannot be like other children because of physical disabilities resulting from brain damage; she is crippled and almost speechless

Award: £435,000 (agreed damages); structuring under consideration

Judge: Roger Titheridge QC (sitting as deputy judge of the Queens Bench Division)

Plaintiff's solicitors: Leigh Day & Co (London)



Fisher v Mann - QBD, 26 March 1996

Claimant: Neil Fisher, 30

Incident: Road traffic accident; claimant knocked from bicycle

Injuries: Minor head injuries; judge rejected claims they led to behavioural problems and generalised anxiety disorder

Award: £4,365 (claimant had rejected pre-trial settlement offer of almost £118,500)

Judge: Mr Justice French

Plaintiff's solicitors:Shoosmith & Harrison (Northampton)