Law Bulletin - November 2006

Oh dear, what can the matter be? I’ll smash down the door and see. [Liability]

The female claimant was in a gents’ cubicle with a female friend in the defendant’s pub. They had gone into the gents as there was a large queue at the ladies.

Long walk after train fails causes injury :strict liability and remoteness [Liability]

The claimant was driving a Metro train, which stopped because of a problem with the overhead wires.

Not having a specially adapted chair causes injury [Liability]

The claimant had cervical spondylosis, triggered by a fall in the street in 1990. She had suffered with intermittent flare-ups from that time.

Vicarious liability for colleague dropping liquid [Liability]

The claimant slipped on spilled coffee at the House of Commons where he worked.

Half-inch ridge in floor is hazard for Workplace Regulations [Liability]

The claimant tripped over some scales set into the floor at her factory.

Highways Act [Liability]

The claimant was injured when stepping down onto the road from her ambulance.

Mesothelioma and the Compensation Act 2006 [Practice and Procedure]

Master Whitaker has written a detailed article in the September 2006 issue of Civil Court News on how mesothelioma cases will be dealt with following the overturning of the Barker case by the Compensation Act 2006.

Causation for epilepsy not established [Damages]

The claimant was unloading a lorry when a barrel of cider fell on his head. He had to sit down for a few minutes but did not lose consciousness and he completed his shift including driving the lorry.

Fatal accident, uninsured drivers, and the MIB [Damages]

When a working parent (a provider) is killed as a result of negligence, the dependants have the right to claim loss of dependency under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.

HSC simplification plan [Information]

The Health and Safety Commission and the HSE have published their simplification plan as part of their commitment to “Better, smarter regulation”.