If you keep up to date with the news (and TV soaps – read on to see what I mean), then you may have heard the story of 25 year old actress Charlotte Davies who has been left blinded in one eye from an assault on a night out in a club, accroding to sources from the Mirror (source). After asking a woman to leave her friend alone following an altercation, the woman speared her in the eye with a broken glass, leaving Charlotte with horrific and life altering injuries.
Charlotte, who has reportedly had minor roles in Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, says her acting dreams are in tatters following the assault in Manchester’s Living Room bar; a place popular with Premiership football stars. The bar are currently reviewing its safety regulations in light of the incident. This is a tragic assault that has left a young budding actress with a permanent disability; lets hope she can still make a success of her career in the acting limelight!
So, this incident could fall in the category of a criminal injury claim, and the claim would likely be brought with the CICA (Criminal In juries Compensation Authority – take a look at my last blog for a little more info on them!). Under the scheme, she would be compensated appropriately if it were to run with the CICA – and of course a specialist personal injury lawyer representing would ensure maximum compensation in the quickest possible time!
So what about another story of a life changing criminal injury? Well here’s one from the BBC, telling the story of the musician in an unprovoked and devastating attack that could have ended bass player Phil Blake’s musical career! (BBC News Item).
According to the source, Mr Blake was on his way to a party when a group approached him. And after one man shooting him with an air gun, and another repeatedly hit him with a meat clever after he confronted the man whom had shot him. The result was 9 staples in his head and hours of surgery on his arm following the horrific injuries. He required months of physiotherapy to be able to use and stretch his fingers again – putting his musical career at a halt whilst being unable to play. He is now able to do little much with his arm other than play his guitar.
Another example of an incident that could fall within the category of a claim with the CICA. In fact, had he been unable to continue playing bass, this would be included as a loss in his claim! And the claim itself could be worth a significant amount of money!
Thankfully in the latter story, Mr Blake appears to have retained his musical abilities!