The government is to push for strict new controls governing the use of sunbeds. Radiation and medical experts have concluded that unmanned tanning salons should be banned across the UK and that other tanning salons should only be available to those over the age of 18. The Health and Safety Executive estimates more than 100 deaths per year from cancer as linked to use of sunbeds.
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A secondary school teacher who was hit by a falling branch is suing the Environmental Agency for up to £300,000. Ms Doreen Prior, sustained a blow to the head from the branch, which came from a diseased ash tree in April 2007. The incident occurred on a public footpath at Barcombe Mills in East Sussex and among the symptoms suffered by Ms Prior she lists tiredness, a cut to the head, an impaired memory and states that she now has trouble multi-tasking and has been unable to resume her job as a teacher.
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A leading road safety charity has moved to warn people against insurers who are acting to settle claims mere hours after accidents have taken place. Brake is concerned that insurers are encouraging victims to take a pay out before getting legal or medical advice. This problem with this is that, although it may be tempting to settle the claim quickly and gain compensation early, victims can be left out of pocket especially if they have longer lasting injuries. The pay outs offered are in full and final settlement of claims and mean that there is no legal option to claim any further compensation once this is agreed.
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An elderly man who pushed over a 90 year old lady broke the woman’s pelvis. Mr Alfred Young, aged 73, attacked Francesca Poka after she brushed against him with her walking stick and has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence as a result and now has to wear an electronic tag.
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If you suffer an injury and liability is admitted by the third party then that is half of the battle won with making a claim. However, there is then a responsibility to provide evidence to support your injuries and this is part of the compensation aspect of the claim. General damages are provided in respect of pain and suffering and loss of amenity. This breaks down in to two parts:
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When performing a task it is important to use appropriate equipment to allow you to complete it with minimum risk. In the workplace, employers have a duty of care, born out of the law of negligence, to provide such a task. The legislation governing this is in the UK is called the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (also known as ‘PUWER’). It is supplemented by several more closely defined regulations for specific types of equipment.
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The heads of an NHS Trust have been made to apologise in person to the parents of a cancer patient who bled to death after having a breathing tube inserted in his neck incorrectly. Investigations are ongoing as to whether any members of staff should face prosecution. The replacement tube was inserted in the wrong place in victim, Mr Myron Hall’s, neck. It was supposed to be placed directly in to Mr Hall’s windpipe, helping him breathe easier but instead he began bleeding from the tube after it seemingly pierced the wall of an artery. It was stitched following the wound but Mr Hall suffered a catastrophic bleed four days later.
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A woman has been cleared by the court after she was accused of trying to smother her mother with a pillow as she slept. Donna Sheppard- Saunders denied trying to murder Pamela Sheppard in the bedroom they shared in Sussex. The trial was heard in Lewes Crown Court, where the court was told that Ms Sheppard-Saunders put a pillow over her mother’s head while she was sleepwalking.
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Two young children were found on a beach, struggling against an incoming tide, while their mother left them to go shopping. The boys were found on a sandbank at an islet off Hilbre island, near West Kirby. Some members of their family were found searching for the children further up the beach.
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Hospital staff are vulnerable to falling victim to dangerous working practices in an attempt to meet European rules on doctors working hours. According to the BBC website, the Royal College of Surgeons data on the number of rotas complying with the 48 hour week indicated a fall of 6% between March and April.
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