Prinn v Plymouth and Torbay Health Authority - QBD, 21 October 1996
Claimant: Steven Prinn (six years)
Incident: Medical negligence
Injuries: Oxygen starvation during birth at Freedom Fields Hospital, Plymouth. Claimant has some awareness of world around him even though he is blind, suffers from spastic quadriplegia and is totally dependant on the care of his parents. Health authority has accepted he should have been delivered earlier and apologised. Court told by the time claimant was born he had suffered brain damage. Damages agreed on the basis of 85 per cent liability on the part of the health authority. Parents accepted 15 per cent cut to take account of risks of litigation.
Award: Damages to be assessed if not agreed
Judge: Mr Justice Alliott
Counsel for plaintiff: Adrian Whitfield QC
Solicitors for plaintiff: Wolfer Stans, Plymouth
Swift v Dymock - QBD, 21 October 1996
Claimant: Godwin Swift (35 years)
Incident: Road traffic accident
Injuries: Claimant injured in motorcycle accident in July 1990. Accident resulted in head injuries and multiple broken bones. As result of injuries claimant suffered post traumatic amnesia and other lasting injuries
Award: £150,000 (agreed damages)
Judge: Judge Diana Cotton QC
Counsel for plaintiff: B Silvester QC Alistair MacDuff
Solicitors for plaintiff: Brian Ruff Angus & Co, Wickford, Essex
Jordan v Ministry of Defence & ors - QBD, 21 October 1996
Claimant: Stephen Jordan (25 years)
Incident: Serving soldier suffered neglect while under close army arrest
Injuries: Claimant, a serving Grenadier Guardsman at time, was arrested and spent nearly eight months in military prisons pending court martial theft charges. He was released last December after appealing to the High Court that his continued detention was in breach of European Convention on Human Rights. He sued Ministry of Defence and his commanding officers for damages on basis of injury and loss he claims to have suffered during period of detention. Claimed he suffered epileptic fits while held under close arrest.
Award: Terms of undisclosed
Judge: Mr Justice Rougier
Solicitors for plaintiff: Sheratte Caleb & Co
