July 22nd, 2009
A keen motorbike rider is suing Suzuki after claiming that one of the company’s bikes fell apart while he was riding it.
Alan Jackson, 29, had been in training for the Isle of Man Grand Prix in August 2006, when he alleges that the GSX-R750 split into two at 80 miles per hour.
The rider was airlifted to Liverpool for hospital treatment, but was still left with one leg shorter than the other due to the severity of his injuries.
He also had to give up his £40,000 a year job on the grounds of ill health and is now seeking compensation from Suzuki for negligence.
Mr Jackson claims that the welds on the bike had not been strong enough and had not been tested prior to being sent for sale.
A spokesperson for Suzuki declined to comment.
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, if a product causes injury, the manufacturer is responsible as long as it can be proven that the product was less safe than the consumer could reasonably expect.
Tags: Alan Jackson, Biker, Bikes, Consumer Protection Act, Consumer Protection Act 1987, Defective Product, Grand Prix, Gsx R750, Ill Health, Isle Of Man, Job, Liverpool, Miles Per Hour, Motorbike, Negligence, Severity, Spokesperson, Suzuki, Welds
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April 1st, 2009
Damages are to be paid to a woman who suffered a stroke after being involved in a fatal road accident.
Bruna Long, 62, was behind the wheel near Great Horkesley in Essex when she was hit by an oncoming vehicle being driven by Darren Puljic, the Maldon and Burnham Standard reports.
The 20-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt and it is thought that he may have been exceeding the 60 miles per hour speed limit, as well as being on the wrong side of the road.
He died in the collision, while Mrs Long sustained multiple fractures and a head injury. Her husband, Christopher Long, also suffered orthopaedic injuries.
Mrs Long went on to suffer a stroke which has left her permanently disabled with communication and speech problems. She now needs long-term care.
She took legal action against Mr Puljic through his insurers, Norwich Union, and the firm admitted liability.
After a high court hearing, the organisation has agreed to an undisclosed payout, although it is believed the compensation may run into seven figures.
Mr Justice Mackay said the pay-out should provide "reasonable financial security" for Mr and Mrs Long.
When a road accident occurs and liability can be proven, compensation will always be paid through the insurers of the responsible party, so victims should make a claim if they feel they are eligible.
Tags: Damages, Essex, Financial Security, Fractures, Head Injury, Long Term Care, Mackay, Maldon And Burnham, Miles Per Hour, Mr And Mrs, Mr Justice, Norwich Union, Responsible Party, Road Accident, Road Crash, Speech Problems, Speed Limit, Stroke, Wearing A Seatbelt, Wrong Side Of The Road
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November 13th, 2008
A man who was seriously injured in a motorbike crash has appeared at the high court to argue his case for compensation.
David Buchan, 25, crashed into a car driven by Mark Whiting as he turned into a car park.
Mr Buchan hit the other vehicle at 30-45 miles per hour, hitting his head and suffering irreversible brain damage which has left him unable to live on his own, the St Albans & Harpenden Review reports.
He also needed cosmetic surgery for lacerations to his face and treatment for a fractured leg and spine.
Mr Buchan’s legal representatives argue that the accident was Mr Whiting’s fault, but he denies any liability for it.
In turn, his lawyers argue that Mr Buchan was the "author of his own misfortune" since he was travelling too fast before the crash.
The case is expected to conclude later this week.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, while the number of motorbike deaths fell in 2007, the number of people seriously injured on motorbikes rose last year. The organisation recommended better training for people riding such vehicles.
Tags: Amp, Car Park, Cosmetic Surgery, David Buchan, Deaths, Fractured Leg, Harpenden, Irreversible Brain Damage, Lacerations, Lawyers, Legal Representatives, Miles Per Hour, Misfortune, Motorbike Crash, People, Prevention, Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents, Spine, St Albans, Whiting
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October 8th, 2008
A young woman who was seriously hurt in a car crash is to sue the man who was driving the car.
Stephanie Stratton, now 21, was a passenger in the Honda Civic being driven by Adam Roberts of Campbell Crescent in 2006.
However, he lost control of the vehicle after pulling the handbrake at 55 miles per hour, the East Grinstead Observer reports.
The car overturned and Ms Stratton suffered facial injuries and fractures.
She had to have brain surgery and a titanium plate implanted into her skull. She is also nearly blind and has epilepsy.
Since the accident, Ms Stratton needs supervision as she still has cognitive and communication problems.
Through her father Anthony, Ms Stratton is now suing Mr Roberts for an unspecified sum of compensation.
A common misconception when it comes to claiming compensation after an accident is that a person who was in the car that caused the accident cannot make a claim for injuries suffered.
This is untrue, as long as the person making the claim was not the one behind the wheel at the time of the accident.
It is perfectly legitimate to claim against the driver, as it is their responsibility to drive safely.
Tags: Adam Roberts, Brain Surgery, Car Crash, Claiming Compensation, Common Misconception, Communication Problems, Crescent, East Grinstead Observer, Epilepsy, Facial Injuries, Fractures, Handbrake, Honda, Honda Civic, Miles Per Hour, Skull, Stephanie, Stratton, Titanium Plate, Young Woman
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October 7th, 2008
A family are to seek damages from Kent police after it was ruled that a speeding police car was responsible for a young woman’s death.
Rachel Cheesewright, 29, was killed in 2005 when she pulled out of a junction and her vehicle was hit by a police car travelling at over 100 miles per hour.
The original investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) ruled that the death was accidental and that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against the police officers.
However, following a three-year fight, Ms Cheesewright’s parents and fiancé have achieved justice as a judge ruled that the speeding police officer was "100 per cent at fault" for Ms Cheesewright’s death.
A compensation payout will be given as a result, which will ensure the financial security of Ms Cheesewright’s 11-year-old daughter, Kent News reports.
Kent police are expected to appeal the decision but would not make any further comments on the case.
During pursuits and emergency calls, police officers can break some traffic laws if they have to. But they are legally obliged to drive carefully and, if they make a mistake, they can be prosecuted.
Tags: Break, Damages, Face, Fight Ms, Financial Security, Independent Police Complaints Commission, Insufficient Evidence, Kent News, Kent Police, Miles Per Hour, Mistake, News Reports, Parents, Police Car, Police Complaints, Police Officer, Police Officers, Quot, Traffic Laws, Young Woman
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