Two Accidents at Work

Steve Webb settled a claim on behalf of Mr T. He was a dock worker and had two accidents in the space of a month in August and September of 2010. He was 46 years old at the time. Both accidents happened at work.

The first accident involved a minor whiplash injury to his neck and the second accident, which was more serious, involved a significant twisting injury to his back causing an acceleration of a pre-existing condition of spondylosis.

Liability was admitted at an early stage in relation to the first accident which effectively amounted to a rear end shunt between two tugs, on the dock. Liability issues were significantly more complicated in relation to the second accident, and the claim was defended by the port, and a second defendant, who operated boats from the port. Both defendants denied liability and sought to blame each other in the alternative and alleged contributory negligence.

Proceedings ensued involving two consolidated claims which were compromised at a Joint Settlement Meeting four weeks before the trial was due to start.  The gross settlement figure, taking into account interim payments, and a level of contributory negligence accepted to be in the region of 25%, was approximately £150,000. This was based upon an award of general damages and special damages largely comprising earnings loss and care costs.