A 93 yr old lady who went into hospital with suspected stroke (i.e. loss of coordination, confused, headaches and vomiting) was put on a bed with the bed rails up. No bumper pads were attached and consequently her leg fell through the rail causing a 10cm deep laceration to her shin. She required 10 weeks worth of follow up care i.e. changing dressings and analgesic patches being applied, and she lost a lot of confidence. Clinical negligence claim settled for £7,500.
Convict wins compensation after being bitten by prison officer
November 12th, 2009
A prisoner has been awarded £1,400 in compensation after he was bitten by a prison officer during a brawl.
David Hay was being moved to a new prison but had refused to leave Perth jail in Scotland without his quilt and in the ensuing argument was pinned to the floor and bitten in the back.
As a result of the incident, which left Hay with a bitemark for a fortnight, the Scottish Prison Service was ordered to pay the compensation on behalf of prison officer Kenny Kinnear, who carried out the act.
Hay, who served a seven-year term for culpable homicide, was cleared of a breach of the peace after he was accused of threatening Kinnear in the street after his eventual release from jail.
Earlier this week, a man who suffered a stroke after developing a drugs habit in jail was awarded compensation.
Ellis Sherwood had been wrongly convicted of murder and was awarded £1.4 million for what happened to him following the quashing of his conviction.
Million pound compensation payout for wrongful imprisonment victim
November 9th, 2009
A man has been awarded £1.4 million in compensation after suffering a stroke following his wrongful imprisonment for murder.
Ellis Sherwood had spent 11 years in jail after being convicted of murdering a Cardiff newsagent in 1988.
The compensation was awarded to him by the Home Office after it was proven in court that his stroke was a direct result of the drug abuse he took part in during his time in prison, reports the South Wales Echo.
Mr Sherwood has previously been given compensation by the South Wales Police for the miscarriage of justice he suffered.
In October 2006 he received £200,000 from the police force after his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal.
Last week, the Lowestoft Journal reported that Suffolk Constabulary have paid out almost £600,000 in compensation claims against them in the past five years.
The claims included cases of wrongful arrest, physical injury and damage to property.
£18k compensation for girl stabbed in Lancashire
October 8th, 2009
A girl who was almost killed in a frenzied knife attack has been awarded over £18,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Jessica Knight, 16, had been walking through a park in Chorley when she was attacked by Kristofer Beddar, who had drunk half a bottle of whisky.
She was stabbed 25 times and her injuries were so severe that she suffered a stroke and was in a coma for over a week.
Her mother Jill Walmsley said her life has been badly affected by the attack and that she often suffers double vision.
"We don’t know what the future holds yet – whether she’ll be able to work full-time or even drive," she added.
Jessica pursued a claim through the CICA, which has now agreed to the £18,895 payout.
The CICA is part of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales.
It can pay out a maximum of £250,000 to the victims of a criminal attack. 
Damages for woman who suffered stroke after road crash
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.
