BP has begun a court case to investigate further their role in the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico. Not only will the health and safety and environmental issues be deliberated in a British criminal court, but also civil compensation claims from their employees and local residents. Terry Mcalister of the Guardian newspaper reported that:
“BP has already paid out $3.5bn (£2.2bn) in compensation claims linked to the incident, and some have estimated the final bill could be as high as $70bn.”
It is though that employees will be seeking compensation for accidents at work whilst local residents and businesses may be making compensation claims for personal injury, loss of earnings and destruction of property while BP attempt to find a resolution to the oil spill.
It has been determined already that 47 people were injured and 11 killed in the blast that (more…)
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A successful prosecution of three men by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has resulted in fines totalling £5,000 for failing to provide adequate protection to an employee.
David Pass of Droylsden, Greater Manchester, “could easily have been killed when he fell through a fragile roof panel,” according to HSE Construction Inspector, Ian Betley. Mr Pass fell eight metres, seriously injuring his head and back, and was in a coma following the accident at work. He continues to suffer partial blindness in one eye. He is one of thousands of employees seriously injured every year in work accidents involving a fall from height.
Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard how Mr. Pass had been working on a fragile barn roof, removing corrugated sheets, when the accident happened. There had been no provision of scaffolding or a mobile work platform that would have (more…)
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The family of a man killed in a road traffic accident has been awarded a compensation sum of £350,000.
Ninian Donald, 33, was cycling home from work when he was involved in a collision with a skip lorry. He is survived by his long term partner, Kate Evenden, and a 19 month old daughter, Rosie.
His partner Kate had to take the matter to London’s High Court, however, to make a compensation claim when CCTV footage revealed that Mr Donald was partly at fault for the accident and his death.
The footage showed that Donald, who worked in Hackney, took to (more…)
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One of the many problems caused by the cold winter is that the country was left with a legacy of pot holes and cracked roads, resulting in accidents and damage to vehicles. Personal injuries were also incurred as more people slipped on untreated surfaces or fell on rough pavements.
As a result compensation claims for injury and damage caused by poor roads has soared. In Glasgow and Midlothian claims have doubled this year, as Scotland was one of the hardest hit regions.
In North Wales over £150,000 has been awarded in compensation to drivers as a result of pothole damage to cars, a rise of 60% in some areas.
Alison Borthwick from Stirlingshire spent £150 on her damaged (more…)
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A stab victim who was left with irreversible brain damage after what a Judge described as “failures in medical care” at the hospital that was treating him, has been awarded £850,000 plus additional, ongoing payments for the rest of his life.
Leslie Dye, 57, who had been stabbed in the neck, was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex where medical staff treating him failed to interpret a scan correctly. As a result, he suffered a cardiac arrest which starved his brain of oxygen and left him permanently disabled. He now requires full time, professional care.
Mr Dye, who had previously worked as a taxi driver, is now cared for full time at a centre that specialises in treating patients with traumatic brain injury that can charge up to £4000 per week.
His daughter, Emma, brought the compensation claim on her father’s behalf.
Mr Justice Burnett at the High Court said in his judgement that it (more…)
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Patrick O’Malley suffered a horrific personal injury during an accident at work when a scaffolding gantry, designed to hold up to 1 tonne in weight, was fitted with the wrong bolts and collapsed under him. Patrick fell from 20 feet and, as a result of his injuries, was forced to spend the next four years in hospital. He suffered serious brain damage.
After nearly dying from his injuries, Patrick made tremendous progress and is now able to talk and use his upper limbs, but cannot walk without assistance.
Patrick’s family pursued compensation as they filed a claim. After securing a number of interim payments they were able to come to an out of court settlement. However, they are still pursuing compensation from the builder of the platform, Belgian contractor Montage Vermeesen.
Patrick’s mother Maisey said:
“I was devastated when Patrick had his accident. He was only 29 at the time of the accident and had all his life ahead of him but some wrong bolts trashed his future. At first we had to get our heads round the idea that he (more…)
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We all think that we know what to do in the event of a car accident but when we emerge from the crumpled car─ hopefully injury free─ and the adrenalin is flowing and tempers fraying, will we remember what to say or do?
We assume that we will but here’s a reminder:
A motorist involved in an accident that has resulted in injuries or damage to vehicles or property is required to stop at the scene. Switch off the engine and turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights. Take a couple of minutes to compose yourself and to check on and reassure your passengers before leaving the car.
The wellbeing of the individuals involved in the accident is of primary importance so you should establish if anyone is injured and in need of expert medical help. If so, call 999 and request an ambulance. If you’re not a medical doctor and are (more…)
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