Litigation Personal Injury 30/6/98

Dillon v Ministry of Defence (MoD) - QBD 20 March 1998

Claimant: Christopher Dillon, 41 years

Incident: Road traffic accident

Injuries: Claimant, a former RAF corporal, suffered spinal injuries when he was thrown through roof of Land Rover while serving in the Falkland Islands. He is now confined to a wheelchair. The vehicle was owned by GEC Marconi, but MoD was responsible for its maintenance. Judge held MoD 20 per cent liable on the basis of imbalance of tyre pressures. However, he held that cause of accident was loss of control resulting from Corporal Dillon driving into a bend at excessive speed. He also held that, had Corporal Dillon been wearing a seat belt, his injuries would not have been as severe

Award: Damages to be assessed later if not agreed

Judge: Mr Justice Rougier

Plaintiff's counsel: Robin Oppenheim

Plaintiff's solicitor: Perkins & Co, Manchester



Leech v Gloucester Health Authority - QBD 11 May 1998

Claimant: Daniel Leech, 25

Incident: Medical negligence

Injuries: Claimant paralysed after developing cerebral palsy following birth at Cheltenham Maternity Hospital. He cannot speak and has no useful movement of his arms. Intellect remains intact, but he can only communicate using a computer which he operates with his feet.

Award: Damages to be assessed (£300,000 interim award made)

Judge: Mr Justice Buckley

Plaintiff's counsel: John Grace QC

Plaintiff's solicitor: Parlett Kent & Co, EC



Slateford v Plymouth Health Authority - QBD 5 May 1998

Claimant: Emily Slateford, 8

Incident: Medical negligence

Injuries: Claimant brain damaged at birth at Freedom Fields Hospital, Plymouth. She suffered cerebral palsy as a result of oxygen starvation and has been left quadriplegic. Health authority denied negligence, but agreed to settlement without admission of liability.

Award: £500,000

Judge: Mr Justice Mitchell

Plaintiff's counsel: Robert Glancy QC

Plaintiff's solicitor: Bond Pearce, Plymouth