Hirrell v Securicor Ltd – QBD, 28 October 1996
Claimant: Frances Hirrell, Incident: Road traffic accident
Injuries: Claimant injured in accident in which she was motorcycle pillion passenger. Described in court as a "gre- garious, out-going" woman who had worked as a booking clerk for a motorcycle dispatch firm, her life was said to have been ruined by her injuries. She suffered multiple broken bones and catastrophic head injuries and was in a coma for more than a month. After the accident she suffered four-months post-traumatic amnesia. Her intellect, memory and attention span are now permanently impaired and she has undergone a dramatic personality change
Award: £480,000
Judge: Judge Sean Overend
Plaintiff's counsel: Colin Mackay QC
Plaintiff's solicitors: Hodge Jones & Allen
Jordan v the MoD – QBD, 21 October 1996
Claimant: Stephen Jordan, 2Incident: Alleged unlawful detention by the Army
Injuries: Claimant suffered epileptic fits while being held under close arrest after being accused of nine offences involving theft of £1,300 in false travelling claims
Award: Case settled on undisclosed terms
Judge: Mr Justice Rougier
Plaintiff's counsel: John Mackenzie
Plaintiff's solicitor: Sheratte Caleb & Co
Atkins v Maynard – QBD,
2 December 1996
Claimant: Robert Atkins, 4Incident: Road traffic accident
Injuries: Sustained severe skull fracture and later had to undergo brain surgery. Physically he has made a remarkable recovery but the brain injury has left him with many problems. Before the accident he was a partner in a leading firm of solicitors in Bedford. He was described in court as having been an extremely hard-working and energetic person. As a result of what happened he has no sense of taste or smell, is prone to epilepsy and suffers seriously impaired memory. Court was told overall picture is one of a devastated life. Damages were reduced by 5 per cent to take account of fact that the claimant was not wearing a cycling helmet at time of accident
Award: £1,100,000 agreed damages
Judge: Mr Justice Harrison
Plaintiff's counsel: James Badenoch QC
Plaintiff's solicitor: Kingsley Napley