The Defendant was in a bunker at a golf course. He could see our client who was on the green. Our client could not see him. He had assumed the Defendant had hit his ball on the green too so played on with his mates. The concealed Defendant then took his shot and struck the Claimant on the head, causing serious injury.
The Defendant had insurance through his house. We took advice from specialist sports barrister namely Simon Platt at Kings Chambers, Manchester and a golfing expert, who was Norman Fletcher of the PGA. We achieved a settlement of £20,000.
Award for soft tissue neck and back injuries
In this road accident claim liability was admitted and soft tissue injuries to the neck and back were described with the neck recovering six months post accident and the back within six to nine months.
However although the symptoms were not that intrusive they did affect the claimant’s ability to play rugby league, which resulted in his dropping down a level in standard (he had previously been on the fringe of playing for Workington). At trial 16 months post accident he still had some residual niggling problems, which the Judge accepted.
The other solicitors offered £1,675 for our client’s injury. They then increased this by a silly £75 to £1,750. Our initial offer to settle was just over £2,300 for the injury and its effects.
The Judge, a former rugby player, awarded the claimant £2,300.
Carlisle County Court, July 9, 2009.