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