Sheppard v Matthew Hall (1992) – QBD, 3 March 1997
Claimant: James Sheppard, 6Incident: Industrial injury
Injuries: Claimant developed an incurable form of lung cancer and blames his condition on exposure to asbestos dust in the 1940s and 1950s
Award: £110,000 (agreed damages)
Plaintiff's counsel: Frank Burton
Plaintiff's solicitor: Field Fisher Waterhouse
Thomson v Refique & Lewisham and North Southwark Health Authority – QBD 3 March 1997
Claimant: Alex Thomson, Incident: Medical negligence
Injuries: As a result of a failure to act on and treat a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia the claimant's mother went into early labour. An emergency caesarian section was performed on the mother and the child suffered oxygen starvation and severe brain damage. Liability admitted
Award: £1,250,000 agreed damages – to be paid 25 per cent by local authority and 75 per cent by Medical Defence Union, insurer of the second defendant.
Plaintiff's counsel: John Grace QC
Plaintiff's solicitors: Bindman & Partners
Laverty v Runnymede Borough Council – QBD 26 February 1997
Claimant: Alana Laverty, Injuries: The child suffered loss of her entire small intestine which was sucked from her body when she sat down on a paddling pool's filtration grille. She is now only able to eat small amounts of food orally and is attached to tubes 12 hours a day. Liability admitted
Award: Damages to be assessed
Plaintiff's counsel: Ian Burnett
Plaintiff's solicitor: Amery Parkes, Basingstoke
