November 11th, 2009

Compensation has been awarded to a woman who was glassed in the face after her attacker was identified via social networking site Facebook.
Jennifer Wilson was attacked in the Walkabout pub in Watford in March earlier this year.
Ashleigh Holliman, 22, of Croxley Green, pleaded guilty to charges of actual bodily harm over the incident, in which the prosecution said Miss Wilson had been doing nothing wrong.
Holliman, who works as a hairdresser, had been identified in relation with the crime after police officers tracked her down on Facebook, reports the Watford Observer.
Ms Wilson was left with a scar on her face after the assault and was awarded £2,400 by St Albans Crown Court.
Holliman will also have to undertake 120 hours of community service in addition to paying the compensation.
Earlier this week, a man was awarded £1,000 in compensation after he was attacked at a railway station in Wales.
Matthew Hale was punched to the ground and stamped on by Joshua Preece, 19, of Bridgend.

Tags: Actual Bodily Harm, Attacker, Crown Court, Hairdresser, Holliman, Jennifer Wilson, Joshua, Matthew Hale, Miss Wilson, Ms Wilson, Police Officers, Preece, Prosecution, Railway Station, Scar, Social Networking Site, St Albans, Wales, Walkabout Pub, Watford Observer
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
January 12th, 2009

A man who claims his life could have been put in danger by ’shoddy’ repair work on his car is attempting to claim compensation from the companies involved.
Bill O’Neill from Watford took his Peugeot 307 in for a service at a local dealership, the Watford Observer reports.
He was told that a light on the dashboard was simply an electrical fault, but after seeking a second opinion, he discovered that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid.
The other mechanic explained that this was likely caused by poor repair work at the initial service and that it could have impeded Mr O’Neill’s ability to stop in an emergency.
Although the dealership has now gone into liquidation, Mr O’Neill is attempting to secure compensation directly from Peugeot.
"The only thing they offered me was £1,000 off a new car which was ridiculous. It does, however, show that they admit they did something wrong," he commented.
Peugeot said it will not get involved with the case and declined to comment.
If a car mechanic or garage leaves a car in an unsafe condition, liability may fall within their responsibility should an accident occur.
Anyone who has suffered in such an incident should seek representation from a solicitor.

Tags: Brake Fluid, Car Mechanic, Dashboard, Electrical Fault, Initial Service, Liquidation, New Car, O Neill, Observer Reports, Peugeot, Peugeot 307, Quot, Second Opinion, Solicitor, Unsafe Condition, Watford Observer
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
October 6th, 2008

A woman who underwent surgery at a hospital in London has been paid compensation after she suffered a stroke.
Janet Birch, a diabetic, was admitted to hospital in 2003 amid suspicions that she had an aneurysm.
She was transferred to the National Hospital for Neurosurgery and Neurology for an MRI scan, but doctors made the decision to carry out a catheter angiography instead, the Watford Observer reports.
However, she was not informed about the procedure and the fact that it carried a greater risk of stroke and said she never would have given her consent had she known this.
The judge commented: "Unless the patient is informed of the comparative risks of different procedures, she will not be in a position to give her fully informed consent to one procedure, rather than another."
He ordered University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – which comprises seven hospital sites and claims to have a £460 million turnover – to pay Ms Birch £621,000 in compensation as well as her legal costs.

Tags: 600k, Aneurysm, Birch, Catheter, Doctors, Foundation Trust, London Hospital, Mri Scan, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nhs, Observer Reports, Risk, Stroke Victim, Suspicions, Turnover, University College London, Watford Observer, Woman
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
July 22nd, 2008
A diabetic woman has started a bid for compensation after being left acutely disabled by a stroke.
Janet Birch, who is a type one diabetic, was admitted to Watford General hospital in 2003 with a suspected aneurysm, reports the Watford Observer.
Ms Birch was transferred to the National Hospital for Neurosurgery and Neurology where staff were equipped with a specialised MRI scanner. Medical staff decided to perform invasive surgery on Ms Birch which, according to her QC, carried significant risks.
"Instead, she should have undergone a different and entirely safe non-invasive procedure, which had been requested by a consultant neurologist," commented James Badenoch QC.
Ms Birch has now launched legal action against managers at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for clinical negligence.
The trust denies liability.
Cash-strapped medical students recently protested outside the hospital over the withdrawal of free accommodation for trainee doctors, according to the Camden New Journal.

Tags: Aneurysm, Badenoch, Birch, Camden New Journal, Clinical Negligence, Consultant Neurologist, Diabetic Woman, Foundation Trust, Free Accommodation, Invasive Procedure, Invasive Surgery, London Hospitals, Medical Staff, Medical Students, Mri Scanner, Neurosurgery, Scanner Medical, Trainee Doctors, University College London, Watford Observer
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »