Here at Pryers solicitors in York we have completed a medical negligence claim on behalf of a client and won her £2,000. The case involved a client who, in the course of the birth of her first child, had an epidural (for pain relief) that pierced the dura in the spine and led to leakage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). This was a recognised complication of the epidural but the mistake was made by the hospital staff failing to recognise that the client’s ongoing headaches were as a result of the leakage and to carry out blood patching. The mistake was compounded by the community midwives failing to refer her back to the Hospital to get it sorted out. It was only about a month later that the client was referred back to the hospital and the patching carried out to relieve the headaches. This allowed the client to start to enjoy tending to her new-arrival.
Sutton man seeks compensation after workplace accident
September 28th, 2009
A man is suing his former employers for compensation after suffering terrible injuries in a workplace accident.
Joseph Pathmananthan, 61, was working at the Cannon Hygiene Factory in October 2007 when the incident occurred, the Wandsworth Guardian reports.
He had been trying to repair a machine that sorts soiled towels when a faulty part weighing 80kg fell on top of him.
Mr Pathmananthan suffered injuries to his legs, ribs, spine, shoulder and lungs and was in a coma for 17 days. He also needed skin grafts to save his legs.
An investigation discovered that the victim was in charge of health and safety at the factory, even though he had never been trained. OSG Group, which owns Cannon, was fined for contravening the Health and Safety at Work Act and Mr Pathmananthan is now seeking compensation from the firm.
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive show that six million working days were lost due to injury in 2007-08.
Boy in line for compensation after bus accident
July 9th, 2009
A schoolboy could receive a six-figure sum in compensation after he was run over by a bus.
Luke Murtagh, now 15, had been running for the Arriva South London bus a moment after it had left the stop. Although he knocked on the window, the vehicle did not stop.
However, Luke’s trousers then got caught in the wheels and he was pulled underneath, causing injuries to his legs, spine and hips.
He had to have surgery and skin grafts following the accident and still suffers from nightmares because of the horror.
With the assistance of his family, he took legal action against Arriva, which admitted liability but disputed the amount of compensation he should receive.
A hearing is now to take place at a later date, but it is thought that Luke’s damages could amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
In June 2008, compensation was awarded to 15-year-old Dolly Hughes after she was run over by the back tyres of an Armchair Passenger Transport Company bus.
The driver had driven off before she had got on, claiming she had been causing trouble, an allegation which was later disproved.
Paralysed rugby player claims compensation
May 18th, 2009
A student who was paralysed during a university rugby game is claiming compensation against the referee.
Steven Cox, 24, was playing for St Chad’s College at Durham University in 2006 when he took part in a scrum.
However, it collapsed and Mr Cox – who was in his first year of an engineering degree – suffered a broken neck and a dislocated spine.
He claims that the referee had blown his whistle too early and that he had not been in the correct position to start the tackle.
Mr Cox is claiming compensation against the referee’s insurers, alleging that the game had not been properly managed and that the referee had been negligent as a result.
The other party declined to comment on the case.
Those who play amateur sports may be at risk of lost earnings if they suffer an injury. However, if it can be proven that it happened as a result of someone else’s negligence, they may be able to claim compensation as a result.
Compensation for teenager in ‘freak’ bus accident
December 29th, 2008
A young woman who was hurt in a bus accident has been awarded compensation for the pain and suffering she was caused.
According to reports in the Manchester Evening News, Kayleigh Summers, 16, was travelling on an Arriva bus in Manchester when the steering wheel suddenly came off in the driver’s hand.
Ms Summers was thrown from her seat as he lost control of the vehicle and she suffered a twisted spine, whiplash and a chipped bone in her knee.
Commenting on the injuries, she said: "The whiplash and soreness lasted and I had to have physiotherapy and exercises. I still get pains sometimes and it has stopped me doing things."
She has now been paid £1,700 in compensation from Arriva, but a company spokesperson said the incident was a one-off.
Anyone who is injured as a result of a bus accident or from the driver braking too hard may be entitled to compensation and should seek legal advice.
