August 3rd, 2009
A soldier who was left permanently disabled after the Land Rover he was in plunged over a cliff face is seeking compensation against the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Former Royal Marine Tom Birch had been on duty in Afghanistan in November 2006 when he lost control and the vehicle fell 100 feet over the cliff. He suffered brain injuries, a collapsed lung, a fractured jaw and a crushed hip, the Derby Telegraph reports.
The 21-year-old is now suing the MoD for negligence, claiming that the vehicle was in a state of disrepair and that the organisation had turned a blind eye to the fact that he was not in possession of any kind of driving licence.
His mother Gail Birch said: "No amount of money can compensate for his injuries. Nothing may come of this compensation claim but we have to try as the MoD needs to be held accountable."
The news comes as the MoD attempts to recover some of the compensation it paid to two injured soldiers from the Iraq conflict. It claims that some of their disabilities developed after the initial accidents and so they should not be compensated for them.
Tags: Accidents, Amount Of Money, Blind Eye, Brain Injuries, Cliff Face, Collapsed Lung, Compensation Claim, Derby Telegraph, Disabilities, Disrepair, Fractured Jaw, Gail, Iraq Conflict, Land Rover, Ministry Of Defence, Negligence, Plunge, Possession, Soldier, Tom Birch
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July 10th, 2009
A man whose serious leg injury was not spotted by hospital staff has been awarded a significant compensation payout.
Bret Ravenhill, 29, had been riding his motorbike in July 2002 when he was involved in an accident, the Sheffield Star reports.
He was taken to Barnsley District General Hospital where he was treated for elbow and facial injuries, but his left leg was simply put into a plaster cast.
When he was transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, the severity of his leg injury was noticed and a surgeon examined it, but it was too late for treatment.
Mr Ravenhill had to have his leg amputated below the knee.
"The one place I didn’t expect trouble was in hospital. It’s been difficult to come to terms with losing my leg," he commented.
Barnsley Hospital admitted negligence and has awarded an undisclosed but "significant" payout to the victim.
Figures from the Department for Transport show that although motorcyclists account for only one per cent of traffic in the UK, they make up 20 per cent of those killed or seriously injured in accidents.
Tags: Accidents, Barnsley District General, Barnsley District General Hospital, Blunder, Crash, District General Hospital, Elbow, Facial Injuries, Hospital Negligence, Hospital Staff, Left Leg, Leg Injury, Motorbike, Plaster Cast, Ravenhill, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Severity, Sheffield Star, Star Reports, Traffic
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July 1st, 2009
A motorcyclist who was left severely injured after his bike crashed into a delivery van has been awarded compensation.
Bijan Fouladgar, 38, was heir to a sports business in May 2001 when he rode into an underpass in Blackfriars, the London Evening Standard reports.
However, he was unaware that a van had been performing a u-turn in the tunnel and Mr Fouladgar was unable to avoid it.
He crashed, suffering brain damage that left him "a shadow of his former self", the high court heard.
From being a successful businessman, he became vulnerable and unable to process information.
With the assistance of his family, Mr Fouladgar sued Southover Food Company – who were responsible for the van driver – and its insurers have now agreed to a £1 million payout.
"This has been eight years of my life tied up in this. Now I can finally try to get on with living my life," commented the victim.
According to the Department for Transport, motorcyclists are the most vulnerable group of road users in the UK.
Although they account for only one per cent of traffic, they make up 20 per cent of those killed or seriously injured in accidents.
Tags: 1 Million, Accidents, Blackfriars, Brain Damage, Crash, Damages, Delivery Van, Food Company, Heir, Living My Life, London Evening Standard, Motorcyclists, Road Users, Sports Business, Successful Businessman, Traffic, U Turn, Vulnerable Group, Years Of My Life
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June 11th, 2009
Employers who allow the use of quad bikes or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have been warned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that they must ensure their safe operation.
The warning comes after an employee of Kelloe Mains Farm near Duns was killed after suffering fatal head injuries while operating an ATV.
Grant Shannon, 34, had worked on the farm for only three days when he was asked to help bring some cows in using the bike. He agreed, although he had not received any formal training to use the vehicle and had not been provided with a helmet.
Mr Shannon hit a tree and died at the scene.
R & J McDonald, the owners of the farm, were fined and prosecuted by the HSE and inspector Gillian McLean said those using quad bikes should be provided with adequate training, well-maintained vehicles and appropriate head gear.
"Sadly, farming is a dangerous business, and the numbers of deaths and injuries to farmers, workers and members of the public is unacceptable," she added.
Employers must carry out risk assessments for all perceived dangers and provide measures to prevent accidents where appropriate.
Tags: Accidents, Amp, Atv, Cows, Dangerous Business, Deaths, Farmers, Farming, Gillian, Head Injuries, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Helmet, Mains, Mcdonald, Measures, Quad Bikes, Risk Assessments, Shannon, Terrain Vehicles
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June 4th, 2009
A carpenter who fell from a window while attempting to tighten its shutters is to receive £5,000 in compensation.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was involved in the construction of a new school in Waltham Forest in October 2007, where he was working for Bouygues UK.
He was attempting to fix shutters and brackets on the window and leaned out past the guardrail that had been put in place.
However, he slipped and fell five metres onto a hard platform and suffered fractures to his ribs and collarbone, as well as blood in his chest cavity.
The man was unable to work for six months.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Dominic Elliss said: "This case clearly demonstrates the importance of following the hierarchy of controls when planning any work at height."
The victim is now to receive a compensation payout after the firm was prosecuted for breaching safety regulations.
Any work or movement at height near an exposed edge should be considered a hazard and employers must put adequate measures in place to prevent injuries and accidents.
Tags: Accidents, Adequate Measures, Bouygues, Bouygues Uk, Brackets, Carpenter, Chest Cavity, Collarbone, Dominic, Elliss, Fractures, Guardrail, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Hierarchy Of Controls, Ribs, Safety Regulations, Shutters, Waltham Forest
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