She attended her local hospital in the North West and was seen at A&E department, from where she was admitted into hospital.

Five days later Laura underwent surgery to repair the fracture and to fix the bone into place using surgical screws.

Following her surgery Laura made a good recovery in hospital and her plaster cast was removed ten days following surgery.

Laura was encouraged to try standing and walking but started to experience excruciating pains in her left foot. This prevented Laura from standing properly, walking any distance and working.

In mid August 2009 Laura returned to hospital and an x-ray was performed. This found that one of the screws holding the bone was 1cm too long and was protruding into the flesh of Laura’s foot. This was found to be the cause of her pain and difficulty.

Consequently, Laura had to undergo further surgery at the end of September 2009, the purpose of which was to remove the screw.

Following this operation Laura developed a wound infection which was treated by antibiotics.

Laura then started a course of physiotherapy which helped the pain to resolve and she regained mobility.

Laura contacted Pryers in September 2009 regarding her treatment and her claim was managed by Alex McKnight, a specialist in clinical negligence matters. He claim was funded by way of a ‘no win no fee’ agreement.

Our investigations included obtaining expert opinion from a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. With this evidence in addition to our own research we were able to agree a settlement for Laura of of £12,000.

The Defendant also paid all of Laura’s legal costs so she had nothing to pay throughout the case or at the end. She kept 100% of her compensation.

As a previous volunteer, Marie Brasnett introduced York Cares to the Principal and founder, Ian Pryer, when she joined his firm of York Solicitors over two years ago. Ian was already a huge supporter of giving something back to the community and so readily embraced the concept, which has resulted in 15% of his workforce currently volunteering their services to York Cares projects. Solicitor, Alex McKnight commented on his first voluntary project‘ in 2008, ‘this is the most selfless act I’ve done in the last 35 years!’

The Right to Read scheme appealed to Office Manager Marie and Solicitor Anna Renfree, as both are avid readers and keen for the opportunity to encourage primary children to enjoy the benefits of reading.

Local primary schools are on the receiving end of the ongoing one hourly sessions and have benefited hugely from the experience of having Marie and Anna as their mentors.

In their own words:

Anna –Being a volunteer on the scheme gives the children an opportunity for one2one time with an adult, which they seem to respond well to and it’s so rewarding to see their enthusiasm grow. Reading is both a skill and a pleasure that will open so many doors for them, so I think it’s hugely important to encourage youngsters to want to read from a young age, not just in the classroom, but at home too. I would definitely want to volunteer again.

Marie – I enjoy the whole experience of volunteering and working with the children to help them achieve. It’s so rewarding to know we’re making a difference, especially as you can see the improvement in their reading as the year goes on. Volunteering is beneficial for me too, as reading with the children is a worthwhile respite that enables me to return to work with a clear mind after only an hour away! Volunteering is so easy with York Cares and it’s definitely an enriching experience.

A medical negligence complaint was pursued to which we received an indifferent response. After obtaining the medical records and reviewing them, it seemed that the case looked very strong and causation was limited. The claim was valued at £5,000 – £10,000. A Letter of Claim was sent together with a Part 36 Offer for £15,000. We got a Letter of Response admitting liability with a counter offer for £10,000, which the client accepted today.

The family of a former miner have been awarded £85,000 in compensation after he died of a work-related lung disease.

Roy Gamble died of lung cancer at the age of 73 in 2005, 21 years after ending his career in Yorkshire’s coalfields

Doctors said he had developed cancer as a result of silicosis, which prompted him to pursue a compensation claim against his former employer British Coal in 2003, reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Mr Gamble asked his daughter Linda to continue the claim after he died and her efforts to secure a settlement have now proved successful.

It was finally accepted that exposure to silica dust in the pits was the root cause of the condition which led to Mr Gamble’s death, resulting in the compensation payout.

News of the settlement comes just days after the widow of an engineering worker from Stalybridge who died from mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos at work received a £60,000 compensation payment.

The Manchester Evening News reported that the case against Frederick Hughes’s former employer Vernon & Roberts was settled four years ago, but that his widow had to take action against the former directors of the company to obtain the money, as both the engineering business and its insurer had gone out of business.

A woman has won a long legal battle against the company where her husband contracted the deadly asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

Frederick Hughes of Ashton-under-Lyne worked at engineering firm Vernon & Roberts during the 1960s, where he inhaled asbestos as he dismantled buildings and equipment, the Manchester Evening News attests.

He died in 2001 and his widow Dorothy decided to pursue a compensation claim against the company. Although a judge ruled in her favour four years ago, she then had to sue Vernon & Roberts’ directors because its insurers had ceased trading and could not meet the payout.

This week, she was finally successful and has been awarded £60,000 in compensation from the personal accounts of the company’s former directors.

"People should have accepted their responsibilities sooner. I am relieved now that it is over," commented Ms Hughes.

According to a paper published by the Centre for the Study of Environmental Cancer, Britain has one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma, with 30 per million per year.

A woman who was left brain damaged due to errors at her birth has been awarded compensation to cover her long-term care.

Lucy Jones, now 24, was born at the former Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon in February 1984, the Swindon Advertiser reports.

Although her mother was suffering problems, staff did not make the decision to carry out a Caesarean until 04:15 GMT, by which time Lucy had been starved of oxygen.

A subsequent investigation found that the operation could have been performed by 01:30 GMT in order to make the situation safer for the baby.

Lucy’s family took legal action against the Avon, Gloucester & Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, which has now admitted liability and agreed to pay a seven-figure sum that should pay for Lucy’s care needs for the rest of her life.

According to Scope, approximately one in four children is born with cerebral palsy in the UK.

A woman has pledged to seek compensation from two NHS trusts after her daughter died in hospital from meningitis.

Shazia Ahmed, a 25-year-old mother of one, had already called out-of-hours GP services twice in February when she began to feel unwell with a rash and terrible sickness.

However, the medics refused a home visit and when Ms Ahmed’s symptoms began to worsen, her mother Lorraine Lewis took her to A&E at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Despite this, her meningitis was not diagnosed for a further 15 hours, by which time it was too late to treat her.

The victim died five days later and Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust and Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust have since apologised for the failings in her care.

The trusts admitted that had Ms Ahmed been diagnosed earlier, a "different outcome" might have been reached.

Ms Lewis said: "What we got was a shoddy service which probably killed my daughter." In an interview with the Oxford Mail, she added: "I’m going to sue. I’ve been to see my solicitor."

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.

Compensation has been secured for a man who was left brain damaged after an accident at work.

The 39-year-old, who did not want to be named, was working for A&P Falmouth in 2004 when he was hit on the head by welding equipment while painting a ship, the Shields Gazette reports.

He now suffers deafness, memory loss and a lack of concentration, as well as epilepsy and headaches, as a result of the brain damage he sustained.

The victim – with the assistance of his mother – took legal action against A&P Falmouth and an out-of-court settlement has now been agreed via the company’s insurers.

"This money will help cover his daily living costs, now that he can no longer earn a wage," remarked his mother.

Employers must deal with any hazards that are likely to arise and might cause serious injury to their workforce.

A compensation claim can be made if it can be proved that employers breached this duty of care and that this resulted in accident or injury.

Payouts for brain injuries will usually be more substantial since they must cover the costs of the victim’s long-term care.