Credit Crunch UK (Financial Claims Management)

An art lecturer who suffered damage to his head after a tree fell on him has secured compensation of £300,000. The man, who has not been named, was walking round the grounds of Southgate College when a diseased copper beech tree toppled over.

He sustained three fractures to his spine and developed a stammer and a twitch as a result of the incident.

In addition, he was subsequently diagnosed with depression and post traumatic stress disorder - which is described by the NHS as a "psychological and physical condition that can be caused by extremely frightening or distressing events".

The 58-year-old had to retire from his position at the college due to his injuries.

Grounds maintenance company Amenity Sports Management admitted liability and agreed to issue the payout.

The lecturer's legal representative said that he was happy with the outcome of case and the money will enable him to cover the costs of his treatments and make up for the loss of earnings he has incurred.

A man who was seriously injured in a car accident five years ago is to receive a payout of around £3 million.

Owen Griffin was a passenger in a car being driven from Glasgow to Stranraer - which is located in the south-west of Scotland - when the incident occurred.

The 26-year-old was asleep in the back of the vehicle when it collided head-on with a motorcycle.

As a result of the impact, the driver's young son and the biker were killed, while Mr Griffin sustained serious brain and bodily injuries.

He is expected to never be able to return to full-time work and doctors are doubtful that his condition will improve.

Mr Griffin's legal representative noted that the amount of compensation reflects the severity of the injuries and the level of care and support he will need.

He added that the case was "tragic" and involved a "very talented young man".

A girl who has been left disabled as a result of complications experienced during her delivery has been awarded a substantial sum in compensation.

The 16-year-old, who must remain anonymous for legal reasons, was born at Hemel Hempstead Hospital in 1993, the St Albans & Harpenden Review reports.

Difficulties arose during the procedure and her mother subsequently sued for negligence.

As a result of being starved of oxygen, the girl developed cerebral palsy, which is a condition affecting movement and coordination.

In a new development, she has been awarded a payout in a settlement with West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Commending the girl's family, Mr Justice Tugendhat said: "I would like to add an expression of my own sympathy and to say it is to be admired how much her mother has devoted in these circumstances."

The money will be used to fund the cost of her care for the rest of her life.

A man who has been left with brain damage because a meningitis infection he was suffering from was not diagnosed by medical staff has received compensation.

In 2002, at the age of 12, Mark Thomas went to Walsall Manor Accident and Emergency department suffering from the condition - which is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

However, a nurse at the centre told him and his parents that they were misusing the services.

Five days prior to this, he had blood samples taken by doctors but had been sent home, where his condition worsened.

As a result of the damage caused by the meningitis, Mr Thomas has had to learn to walk and eat again and will be reliant on the help of others for the rest of his life.

Recently, the Walsall NHS Hospitals Trust was ordered to pay him £3.2 million in compensation in order to fund his care.

A 14-year-old boy with cerebral palsy is to receive compensation over the medical errors that left him disabled for life. Toby Dicks was born without complications, but had to be fed intravenously after becoming ill within months, according to the Herald Express.

He developed septicaemia and started having life-threatening seizures due to contamination of his feeding lines at Torbay Hospital - causing cerebral palsy and leaving him dependent on his parents.

The High Court has now awarded £3.2 million in compensation, which is to be used to pay for the care required.

And a spokesman for Torbay Hospital - which is part of the South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and serves a population of 300,000 people - was quoted as saying: "Today's court approval of the resolution of Toby's claim is the final step in ensuring Toby has a settlement to help him to lead an active and semi-independent life."

The number of mortgages approved for house purchase, but not yet lent, rose 3,000 during the month to 56,000.

Mortgage approvals are a good indicator of short term trends in the property market, and have risen this year in line with recovery in completed sales.

Non-mortgage borrowing by individuals shrank for a third month in a row - the first time since records began in 1993.

According to recent figures from HM Revenue & Customs, sales rose to 82,000 in September, double the number sold in January.

"Lending activity has recovered in recent months, when compared to the start of the year, as buyers and sellers tentatively return to the market," said Adrian Coles, of the Building Societies Association (BSA).

"However, lending is still at levels much below that of previous years, and the slight recovery remains fragile," he warned.

Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said:

"A little more money is now flowing through into the mortgage market."

"However the ending of the stamp duty exemption on properties valued at £175,000 or less at the end of December could hit activity levels particularly outside of London and the south east in the early part of 2010," he said.

Up and down

While the recent pick-up in property sales seems likely to continue for the time being, other forms of personal borrowing are in decline.

Consumer credit borrowing fell by another £300m in September, after falls of £400m and £300m in August and July respectively.

Within this, credit card borrowing held up, albeit with low levels of growth.

But other forms of personal borrowing, such as bank loans, car loans and hire purchase agreements, have fallen.

Under the combined impact of the recession and the credit crunch consumers have reined in their spending while lenders have become fussier about to whom they will lend.

In fact non-credit card personal borrowing has dropped in eight out of the past nine months.

This has been the longest stretch of contracting lending since the Bank's records started in 1993.

Nearly £100,000 has been paid to the family of a man who died as a result of exposure to asbestos.
Dudley Maasz passed away in July 2006, having been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the previous year.

The disease is one of four main complications the Health and Safety Executive highlights as being associated with the dangerous fibres, with lung cancer also a risk.

And BRB (Residuary) - formerly British Rail - agreed to a settlement of £98,000 plus costs in the case of Mr Maasz, who worked as an engine cleaner and fireman on railways in the 1940s.

The family's solicitor highlighted the fact that boilers of locomotives had been coated with asbestos as contributing to his death.

And his brother Norman told the BBC of the toll the disease took, stating: "He used to sleep a lot, the pain got worse and worse and eventually he was in bed most of the time."

Millions of pounds have been awarded to a family in Swansea after a mistake during the birth of a child left her with severe brain damage.

Rhiannon Pridmore, now aged seven, has been diagnosed with tetraplegic cerebral palsy after the umbilical cord wrapped round her neck and she was effectively dead for eight minutes.

The error at Singleton Hospital - which is situated next to Swansea University and contains a total of 550 beds - has left her unable to speak, walk or stand and she is entirely dependent on carers and her family.

Solicitors acting on behalf of the child's parents argued that her mother should have been continuously monitored while giving birth and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Board admitted a breach of duty.

Rhiannon's father Brian Pridmore said of the compensation: "This money will give us financial security to provide for all Rhiannon's needs and enable us to make her life as happy as possible."

A holidaymaker is seeking compensation after being involved in a coach crash in Bulgaria.
Anthony Wilkinson suffered bruising in the incident and told the Hunts Post that a great deal of distress was caused.

He has developed a fear of travelling on coaches following the accident, which saw the vehicle leave the road and overturn.

"I looked out of the front window and saw a sign coming towards us," said the 41-year-old. "I thought we were going to hit it but the coach slid across the road and down a bank."

The incident occurred in 2005, when Mr Wilkinson and four friends were travelling from an airport to the ski resort of Borovets, which Bulgaria Ski notes is one of the oldest in the country - dating back to 1896.

Package holiday operator Crystal/TUI UK claimed that severe weather was the cause of the accident, with a strong gust of wind blowing the coach off the road, although Birmingham County Court has concluded that an error on the part of the driver was to blame.

Compensation may be awarded to a group of six women, after they were wrongly diagnosed.

Consultant Dr Glenn Kelly gave the patients the all-clear from breast cancer, but it later emerged that he failed to spot tumours.

A total of 335 mammograms were re-checked, with a second breast examination being required for 85 of the women and 14 then being told they had invasive breast cancer.

The patients are now seeking compensation from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Roy Davies, chairman of a trust health watchdog, noted that it would have to "pay up and take it on chin" if they are found to be entitled to payouts.

"If these ladies have been mistreated the trust is responsible and they have just to accept it," he went on to say.

The trust, which employs 7,000 people across its four hospitals, has already pledged to work with the women over the claims.

A woman who suffers from industrial deafness is to receive a payout, Stoke and Staffordshire paper the Sentinel has revealed.
According to the publication, Sylvia Marsh has received confirmation that she is in line to receive money as a result of her condition, although she is not yet sure of the precise amount.

The 67-year-old used to be employed by HR Johnson and she claims her working environment was "very noisy".

Her roles included being a dust collector and operating near a scrap belt.

Commenting on her condition, she remarked: "I found out I had a problem three years ago. I kept having to turn up the TV and radio and in company, I often couldn't hear what was being said."

Industrial deafness, which is also known as occupational deafness, refers to a deterioration of someone's hearing over a prolonged period of time as a result of the conditions in which they work.

A woman who was injured in an accident involving a car has been awarded compensation totalling around £78,000. Rosemary Skrine was hit by a dog which had been propelled into the air after itself being struck by a vehicle.

She had been taking part in a hunt when the incident occurred and had got out of her own car to warn others that one of the hounds had become separated from the rest.

While she was attempting to do this, fellow participant Abbas Ahmed drove into the animal, forcing it off the ground.

The dog hit Ms Skrine in the face and caused her to fall on the road, banging her head as a result.

She also suffered hip and knee injuries due to the impact.

Recently, Mr Justice Nicholas Nearns ordered Mr Ahmed to pay damages, although he ruled that the Island Hunt had no case to answer.

A woman who was blinded by a loose barrier has started legal action in a bid to secure compensation.

Joyce Richmond was in her car when it was struck by a metal swing barrier at the entrance to the Straight Mile off Leger Way at Doncaster Racecourse, the Sheffield Star reports.

The 74-year-old is pursuing a civil claim against the racecourse, which recently underwent a £34 million redevelopment.

Bosses at the venue were fined £25,000 for failing to prevent the accident.

Ms Richmond's vehicle was impaled by the barrier, which had been held in place by a wire that was removed prior to the accident.

As a result of the incident, she lost the sight in her right eye and had to have part of her face rebuilt. In addition, her speech has been affected along with her sense of taste.

Her pet dog also suffered serious injuries and died two weeks later.

A man who was seriously injured when he was struck by a van is seeking compensation.
In August 2002, Marc Preston was crossing Bitton Park Road in Teignmouth when he was hit by a Transit van, the South Devon Herald reports.

As a result of the impact, he sustained serious injuries to his head and brain, which have caused cognitive deficits and a personality disorder.

Consequently, he will require care for the rest of his life.

The legal team acting on behalf of Mr Preston, who is now 26 years old, are seeking over £1 million from the owners of the van, City Electrical Factors - which employs more than 4,000 people.

While the firm's insurers have accepted 50 per cent liability, they are contesting the size of the payout.

Recently, a judge sanctioned a £100,000 payment to tide Mr Preston over until the final compensation settlement is reached next year.

A mother has reached an out of court settlement after suing a dentist for allegedly causing brain damage to her son.
According to the Dumbarton Reporter, Anne Marie Gallacher of Dalnottar Rise in Old Kilpatrick was taking legal action against Greater Glasgow Health Board, claiming that her son Ryan suffered "significant brain damage" while having a tooth extracted when under general anaesthetic.

Court proceedings had begun and the case was expected to last two or three weeks, but Judge Lord Uist was told that the case has been settled for undisclosed terms.

The health board had previously denied liability in the case.

Her lawsuit had been claiming £2.5 million in damages after the incident, which allegedly occurred when Ryan was taken to Townhead Health Centre at Alexandra Parade in Glasgow.

He suffered cardiac arrest while on the premises and is said to have sustained damage to his brain as a result.

Taking regular exercise can help workers reduce the risk of suffering from personal injuries while at work, the Health & Safety Laboratory has stated.

Matt Birtles of the body said that taking regular breaks and staying active while at work will improve health and wellbeing.

It follows the release of a study by Danish researchers which suggested that exercising using dumbbells can cut the chances of workers suffering personal injury.

He remarked: "Each time we stand up and walk about it gives our body a break from the fixed posture and lets the muscles relax and blood flow freely."

Mr Birtles suggested moving rubbish bins to a central area in order to encourage employees to move away from their desks throughout the day.

And he noted that businesses should look at the advice published on the Health and Safety Executive website, something that firms may wish to do so as to avoid facing lawsuits relating to personal injuries from employees.

A payout has been awarded to a classroom assistant after she suffered a slipped disc at her workplace. Yvonne Macklin sustained the injury while carrying lunches at Monkwick Infant school in Colchester in March 2006, the Daily Gazette reports. She has been unable to work since the incident, which occurred while helping a co-worker lift a heavy box filled with food.

"I am in constant pain, which means, at the moment, I am unable to work," Ms Macklin told the news source, adding that she had to walk with crutches after suffering the injury.

She lodged the claim for compensation with the assistance of her union GMB, which has existed for over 12 decades and has around 600,000 members - the equivalent of one in every 32 people working in the UK.

The sum she received has not been disclosed, but GMB said that the amount was "substantial".

Ms Macklin's employer, Essex County Council, declined to comment on the case.

A seven-year-old girl from South Oxhey has been awarded a large payout after she was left with brain damage following a traumatic birth.

According to the Watford Observer, Holly Green - who needs round-the-clock care - was awarded £2 million after her legal team sued West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust for not handling her mother's labour as efficiently as possible.

Despite the fact that the trust denied these claims, a compromise deal was reached in July, with the settlement approved yesterday (November 18th).

Her solicitor observed that the agreement is an excellent one and the sum will allow a suitable home to be purchased that "accommodates Holly's complex needs".

"I hope that this compensation will improve Holly's comfort," she said.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust was formed at the beginning of April 2000 after St Albans and Hemel Hempstead NHS Trust and Mount Vernon and Watford NHS trust merged. It has more than one million visitors every year, in a catchment area of approximately 500,000.

An army captain has been awarded a six figure sum after he was involved in a car accident that left him with multiple injuries, including losing the use of the little finger on his left hand.

The officer, who has not been named, was the passenger in a car that drove into the back of a heavy goods vehicle after his driver fell asleep at the wheel. It had only been a matter of hours since he had returned from Iraq, the Workplace Law Network reports.

His injuries included ruptured ligaments in his knee, numbness in his right leg and two breaks in his left, as well as deep vein thrombosis sustained as a result of these wounds.

Following this accident, the captain was awarded £150,000.

Such collisions are commonplace, recent figures from the Department for Transport have revealed and often involve someone who was at work at the time of the crash.

Statistics for 2006 show that 3,172 individuals were killed on UK roads, with 255,232 people injured.

Thalidomide victims in the UK have urged the government to give them more compensation and to admit liability for the effects of the drug.

A new BBC programme is to focus on the lives of 30 survivors in Wales, the Western Mail reports.

The drug was given to pregnant women in order to combat morning sickness but resulted in 10,000 babies being born with deformities worldwide.

One such person is Veronica Pakenham, whose plight was raised recently when campaigners wrote to health secretary Andy Burnham to ask for increased funding to care for her.

Currently, the 450 people living with the effects of the drug in the UK receive £18,000 per year from the Thalidomide Trust, which distributes compensation paid by Distillers - now known as Diageo - the firm that originally marketed thalidomide in the UK.

However, campaigners are calling for twice the amount to be issues due to rising costs and Julie-Jean George of Pencoed, Bridgend told the news source that living with the consequences of the drug get harder with age.

"Our bodies are wearing out faster than other peoples'," she was quoted as saying.

A man has been awarded nearly £4,000 in compensation after a mattress fell on his car.

According to the Scotsman, Sheriff Peter Hammond ruled that 71-year-old Clydebank resident Thomas McKenna suffered injury after part of a bed came loose and fell from another vehicle.

The incident occurred on the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow, with Thomas Aitchieson - who had been transporting the mattress - admitting liability.

Last month, the Echo reported that 62-year-old motorcyclist Richard Tait is going to the High Court in London to seek £250,000 in compensation, after a car entered his lane from the left hand side and crashed into him.

And in Mr McKenna's case, Sheriff Hammond observed that he sustained a whiplash injury to his neck, aggravating a problem caused by a previous road accident.

"The symptoms spoken of by him were entirely consistent with the views expressed in the agreed medical reports and there is no question, in my view, of the pursuer exaggerating his symptoms," the written judgement stated.

Compensation is to be awarded to a family over an attack on a toddler.

Jay Jones was three years old when he was struck with a car jack by another boy after they had been left alone in a car, leaving him in need of stitches.

The attacker cannot be prosecuted because he is below the age of criminal responsibility and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority refused a payout twice on these grounds.

But the Tribunals Service ruling could lead to similar claims and such is its significance that the case was picked up in the US by the New York Daily News.

Renai Williams, Jay's mother, told the BBC: "It was a vicious attack with such force that his attacker, who was also only three himself, managed to crack the car windscreen."

The exact amount of the compensation the family is to receive will be decided at a later date.

The parents of a girl who developed cerebral palsy as a result of being starved of oxygen at birth are seeking a payout from the hospital trust involved.

Ruby Hanson was delivered at North Devon District Hospital a year ago after a 30-hour labour, This is North Devon reports.

An investigation conducted afterwards by the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust - which provides services to a population of around 165,000 - revealed that the doctor "failed to recognise the deteriorating situation".

The legal team acting on behalf of parents Vicky Higgins and Jimmy Hanson suggest that an award of between £5 million and £7 million should be made to help pay for the care of the youngster.

Ms Higgins said: "It was a normal pregnancy with no worries until I went into hospital. They have robbed us of the baby we should have had."

She and her partner are hoping the hospital trust admits medical negligence.

Calls have been made for the reinstatement of payouts for sufferers of pleural plaques.

In a recent meeting with Gordon Brown and justice secretary Jack Straw, a delegation of MPs argued for a reversal of the decision made by the Law Lords in 2007 to stop compensation being issued to such people, the Shields Gazette reports.

Among the politicians present at the meeting was Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn.

Prior to the talks, he said: "The meeting is the culmination of a long-standing and passionate campaign by many MPs, unions and others to overturn the unjust Lords' ruling of 2007."

Pleural plaques is a form of scarring of the outer lining of the lungs and is an indication of exposure to asbestos.

While it is symptomless, people with the condition often become concerned that they will go on to develop other diseases associated with the hazardous insulating material, such as mesothelioma.

A woman whose husband died from renal cancer is taking legal action against the hospital trust responsible for his care.

In March last year, Michael Herod lost his battle with the disease at the age of 59.

His widow, Gillian, claims that cysts on his kidney which were first discovered in 1991 were described by doctors as benign.

This information is disputed by Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust, which provides services to a population of around 300,000.

However, the organisation admits not passing on test results showing malignant cysts on one of his kidneys and cancer in his lungs in 2005 for a year.

A spokesperson for the trust said it was working closely with the NHS Litigation Authority to resolve Ms Herod's claim.

The widow said: "We accepted the fact that everyone's human and errors can be made, but to have no explanation or anything, then you are just left in limbo," the BBC reports.

A man who was seriously injured in a car crash has launched a claim for compensation.

According to reports in the Daily Express, the unnamed individual was travelling on the A30 in the south-west of England when the incident occurred in January of this year.

Due to ice on the surface of the carriageway, dozens of vehicles were said to be involved in collisions before the road was eventually closed.

The man, who had to spend two days on a life-support machine due to the severity of the injuries he suffered, is suing the Highways Agency.

He claims that the organisation, which is an executive agency of the Department for Transport and serves to operate, maintain and improve the country's road network, failed to protect him.

It should have been more thorough in gritting the surface, the 47-year-old alleges.

According to his legal representative, the agency has a duty to keep carriageways free of snow and ice.

A woman whose son suffered a heart attack while having dental treatment is seeking compensation.

In March 2002, Ryan Gallacher was admitted to Townhead Health Centre, which is part of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary complex, for treatment.

The procedure was performed under general anaesthetic and involved the extraction of nine teeth.

While unconscious, he suffered a cardiac arrest and his mother, Anne Marie Gallacher, claims the anaesthetist failed to take reasonable care not to remove an airway tube while her son was asleep.

As a result of the heart failure, Ryan is said to have sustained brain damage and now has difficulty communicating and suffers from memory problems.

Ms Gallacher is suing the Greater Glasgow Health Board, which is headquartered on the city's St Vincent Street.

The organisation denies liability in the case, stating that the anaesthetist complied with all duties of reasonable care which were incumbent on him and the case continues.

The husband of a woman who died from mesothelioma, a disease caused by exposure to asbestos, has pledged his support for a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign to promote awareness about the material.

Ray Turnbull, who lost his wife in October, believed she contracted the illness as a result of growing up near Washington's Turner and Newall chemical works, the Sunderland Echo reports.

His mother also succumbed to the disease in 1979, having worked at the same factory.

However, Mr Turnbull is hoping that he and his family will receive some compensation and wishes to set up a mesothelioma help group in the town, if there is not one already.

Commenting that approximately 75 per cent of schools still have levels of asbestos, Mr Turnbull said: "[Mesothelioma] won't show up until you've got it."

The dangers of asbestos are to be examined by the HSE during the National Painting and Decoration Show in Coventry today and tomorrow (November 12th) as part of its month-long Asbestos: The hidden killer campaign.

A girl of 13 has received a seven-figure sum following a series of mistakes by the NHS that left her with brain damage.

Charlotte Gillespie was awarded the undisclosed amount from Bury Health Care NHS Trust as a result of several hospital blunders that occurred during her delivery in Fairfield Hospital.

Because of these errors, she now has difficulties walking and suffers from epilepsy, cerebral palsy and obsessive compulsive disorder, the Bury Times reports.

Prior to the birth, Charlotte's mother Marilyn was kept waiting in pain while in labour and had to walk herself to the theatre.

"I felt like I was ignored for hours," she was quoted by the news source as saying.

Following the event, Ms Gillespie was told that Charlotte had been starved of oxygen and later, her lungs collapsed.

Created in 2002 and accountable to NHS North West, the Bury Primary Care Trust employs approximately 750 staff and serves a population of over 180,000.

A group of families from Wiltshire are taking legal action against their tour operators after contracting gastric illnesses while holidaying in Jamaica, it has emerged.

Overall, ten individuals are seeking compensation from travel operators Airtours and Direct Holidays - which was established in 1991 - This is Wiltshire reports.

According to the news provider, among the complaints are "appalling" standards of hygiene at the Starfish Trelawney Hotel, including the state of its swimming pool, the toilets and the quality of the food they were served.

Auxiliary district nurse Amanda Ellis, one of the holidaymakers in question, told the newspaper that "even without the illnesses we were suffering, so many basic elements of the holiday were just not right. It was the worst holiday I've ever been on".

She added that as a nurse, she is "well aware" of what are acceptable levels of hygiene and she did not experience such levels at any point while on her holiday.

A family from Dagenham has received thousands of pounds in compensation after their son died during childbirth due to delays and hindrances, it has been reported.

Nina and Nicholas Sullivan's unborn baby son, who they named Jake, was experiencing difficulties that employees at the Queen's Hospital in Romford failed to recognise and act upon, reported the Barking and Dagenham Post.

The incident, which happened in January 2007, resulted in the newborn being delivered with severe brain damage and dying two days later.

According to experts who later advised the couple, staff should have noticed the baby's distress via a CTG trace machine.

Ms Sullivan remarked to the news provider: "We've been told the midwives have had more training on how to read a CTG trace since Jake died. I hope this is the case."

The Queen's Hospital in Romford was established with the merging of the Oldchurch and Harold Wood healthcare centres and currently operates two accident and emergency departments at King George and Queen's hospitals.

A man whose head was crushed by a lorry while he was working has been awarded £780,000 after being left severely disabled.

The incident occurred in March 2006 when Mark Treadwell of Benfleet was working for Schenker Stinnes Logistics and saw the victim's head crushed as a lorry driver reversed into him without looking.

Consequently, Mr Treadwell had to spend a significant amount of time in intensive care and now has no feeling in his mouth, tongue, teeth and lips.

He also has a blockage in his eyes, which means that they are at risk of drying up and he has been left without the ability to cry.

During a recent hearing, Schenker Stinnes Logistics admitted liability for the accident.

The firm, which employs in excess of 91,000 staff across 2,000 bases in 130 countries, turned over a total of 19 billion euros (£16.9 billion) in 2008.

A politician has come under pressure to assist a woman who suffers from health complaints due to the drug thalidomide.

Used as a morning sickness remedy in the 1950s and 1960s, the drug caused problems in around 10,000 babies worldwide, figures cited by the BBC suggest.

One such person is Veronica Pakenham, who was born with no limbs as a result of her exposure to the substance while in the womb, This is London reports.

She suffered a severe stroke and was admitted to Hillingdon Hospital in Uxbridge.

Ms Pakenham has been ready to leave the centre for six months but cannot as the health care trust is unable to fund the costs of her care.

Campaigners have written to health secretary Andy Burnham to help the patient secure money to enable her to return home.

Guy Tweedy of the Thalidomide Trust said: "This is a lady with no legs [and] no arms, who is incontinent, and Greenwich PCT haven't got the funding to look after her properly."

Along with other campaigners, he is part of wider attempts to get compensation over thalidomide.

A boy who suffered permanent physical damage due to mistakes made during his birth has been issued a payout.

Grant Hembry, who is now 11 years old, was born in Derriford Hospital, local paper the Herald reports.

He suffers from shoulder dystocia - a condition causing nerve damage - because medics did not employ standard techniques to address the problem of his shoulder being stuck during delivery.

The youngster consequently has a loss of function in his right shoulder, arm and hand.

During a recent hearing, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust - which provides general hospital services to a population of around 460 living in Plymouth, East Cornwall and South West Devon - admitted negligence.

In a deal approved by Mr Justice Wyn Williams, the organisation agreed to issue £270,795 in compensation to Grant.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "A settlement has now been agreed between the parties and approved by the court to assist Grant in the future."

A man who sustained serious injuries at work was awarded compensation for his suffering.

Parminder Singh received a payout of £270,000 as a result of an accident that occurred in August 2005.

The 24-year-old was performing his role as an engineer's assistant when he fell at Heathrow's Terminal Five.

A colleague, Matthew Gilbert, was also involved in the incident and lost his life due to the severity of the injuries he suffered.

The workers had been standing on a concrete slab when it collapsed.

Mr Singh injured his head, leg and back and is still affected.

As well as issuing compensation, the two construction firms involved in the accident were recently ordered to pay fines and costs.

According to Karen Morris, inspector at the Health and Safety Executive - which is currently chaired by Judith Hackitt - the injuries suffered by Mr Singh and the late Mr Gilbert could have been avoided if safe systems had been in place.

Personal injury claims are costing taxpayers in Swansea an average of more than £160,000 every year.

That is the finding of a freedom of information request submitted to the city's council by the South Wales Evening Post.

According to the news source, the last five years have seen the local authority pay out more than £800,000 in compensation.

The average cost of a claim was shown to be £4,055, but a spokesman stated that the overall figure would have been higher if each incident was fully investigated by council officers.

However, work to improve roads and footways - which will soon include improvements to paths near the Tawe river bridge - was said to have contributed to a decline in the number of claims made against the body in recent years.

Cabinet member for the environment John Hague was quoted as observing new maintenance and inspection methods are "having a positive effect in … providing better roads and pavements for people in Swansea".

Compensation has been awarded to a girl who suffered brain damage at birth.

According to the BBC, 14-year-old Tahlia Jade Downes is set to receive millions of pounds after taking her case to the High Court.

She sued the managers of Norfolk and Norwich Hospital through her mother, claiming that a Caesarean should have been carried out.

The court heard that Tahlia suffered permanent brain damage, leading to severe physical and mental disabilities, having been deprived of oxygen during her delivery.

It comes after a settlement was reached in the case of Shane Alger, whose heart stopped during his birth at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn in June 2004.

A final figure to be awarded to Tahlia will be reached in the future, but the news source noted that the hospital agreed before Mr Justice Eady that the girl should receive 70 per cent of the full valuation of her claim.

An engineering student is considering taking legal action after he sustained injuries while cycling to work.

Calvin Jennings, who is 18 and from Marshall Wallis Road in South Shields, was involved in a crash on the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead in August.

He was unable to work for six weeks after the incident and could not attend the first three weeks of his course at South Tyneside College, the Shields Gazette reports.

Mr Jennings, who is still on crutches, is now set to begin an engineering course at Cambridge University in 2010 and blames the "slippery" surface on the bridge. He is now thinking about pursing legal action against Gateshead Council.

He spent a number of days at Newcastle General Hospital on Westgate Road, including the day of his A Level results, after the incident.

Mr Jennings told the publication: "I'd like to hear from anyone else who's had an accident on the bridge. I can't believe I've been the first."

A woman who died after developing mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos was given compensation before she passed away, it has been revealed.

The Crawley Observer reports that 77-year-old Evelyn Boxall of Lechford Road in Horley, who died at St Catherine's Hospice on April 1st, received a payout.

According to the publication, an inquest was told that a post mortem showed she had developed the condition and this was confirmed by a biopsy.

The meeting also heard that she had been exposed to asbestos when she spent time working in a plant soldering radios in aircraft. The bench she worked on had a mat on it that was made out of the material.

West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield reported that Ms Boxall died as a result of the industrial disease.

The Health and Safety Executive notes that asbestos has been a popular building material since the 1950s and was used as an insulator.

A woman who was left paralysed from the mid-chest down after a winter sports accident has taken legal action against the company she claims is at fault.

Personal trainer Emma Moore from Northampton Road in Denton states that Hotelplan, trading as Inghams Travel, is to blame for the incident.

It took place in January 2007 at the Italian resort of Paradiso Passo Tonale, which, according to Igluski.com, stands at an altitude of 1,883m and has 100km of piste for customers to enjoy.

Ms Moore was injured during a "ski-doo sensation" trip, which offered participants the chance to "feel like 007 in the mountains".

She claims that, even though she was inexperienced at taking to the piste on a ski-doo, she was given instructions that were "very brief and wholly inadequate" and that this contributed to the incident taking place.

Ms Moore is seeking more than £300,000 in compensation for her suffering.

A man who sustained injuries while in hospital is seeking compensation from the health board involved.

Charles Preston was a patient at Clacton and District Hospital, which is run by NHS North East Essex, in March last year when the accident occurred, the Ipswich Evening Star reports.

The 68-year-old, who is partially-sighted and had suffered a number of strokes, fell from a first-floor window at the medical centre, which is located on Tower Road, Clacton On Sea.

He suffered a broken pelvis, shoulder and coccyx as a result of the impact, as well as damage to his head.

Recently, the health trust pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and was issued a fine of £10,000.

Its chief executive Paul Zollinger-Read said: "First and foremost, the trust would like to apologise to Mr Preston, his wife and his family for the injuries he has sustained as a result of the failings on the part of the trust."

A boy who was left with disabilities as a result of mistakes made by healthcare workers during his birth is to receive a payout.

Shane Alger was delivered at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn in June 2004.

His heart stopped during his mother Rachel's labour but midwives did not realise as they mistook a heart rate trace of hers for the baby's.

As a result of being starved of oxygen, Shane developed cerebral palsy - a condition which affects movement and coordination.

Recently, it was accepted that if his birth had been brought forward by ten minutes, he would have escaped all injury.

An out-of-court settlement is now to be agreed between the two sides and a payout will be awarded to cover the costs of Shane's care for the rest of his life.

According to the family's legal representative, Shane's parents are relieved that the case is set to come to a conclusion.

A teenager who suffered injuries as a result of medical errors made during his birth has been awarded compensation.

Recently, Colchester General issued 15-year-old Toby Wheeler with a payout of £1.35 million, the BBC reports.

Staff at the medical centre - which delivered 3,858 babies during 2007-08 - failed to arrange for a prompt emergency forceps delivery, meaning he suffered an "acute period of profound hypoxia" in the 25 minutes prior to being born.

As a result of the brain damage he suffered, Toby cannot walk or speak and he requires 24-hour care.

According to court documents, his disabilities are so severe that he in unable to turn over unaided.

In addition to a lump sum, he will receive annual payments to help cover the cost of his care for as long as he lives.

Speaking to the teenager's mother, Mr Justice Jack said: "You must feel very relieved that it's all sorted out now."

A man who suffered damage to his brain as a result of a fall is seeking compensation from a local authority.

Jonathan Harvey was a student at Southampton University when the accident occurred in 2003, the Herald reports.

While returning from a night out, he tripped over a broken fence and fell 20 feet into a Tesco car park in Woolwell.

So serious were his injuries that he nearly died and was forced to spend eight months in hospital. He now has difficulty walking and talking.

He is suing Plymouth City Council, which is headquartered in the city's Civic Centre, under the Occupiers Liability Act.

According to Mr Harvey's legal team, the authority should have done more to make sure the fence was safer.

The case is being heard in London's High Court by Judge John Leighton Williams QC and it is due to last for a total of around three days.

A man who suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of mistakes made during his birth has been awarded compensation of £1.5 million.

Simon Boustead was delivered at City Maternity Hospital in Carlisle 22 years ago, local paper the News & Star reports.

Medical staff at the facility failed to act on warning signs that showed he was in distress when his mother was in labour and, as a result, he has been left needing 24-hour care.

Cerebral palsy refers to a set of neurological conditions that affect movement and coordination. According to the NHS, around one in every 400 children are born with it.

During a High Court hearing in Manchester, an agreement concerning compensation was arrived at under which a lump sum will be paid to Mr Boustead along with annual amounts throughout the rest of his life.

Speaking about the case, his mother, Belinda, said: "This process has been very difficult, but I had to do it for him."

The family of a teenager who suffered damage to his spine after undergoing surgery have accused the hospital responsible for the procedure of clinical negligence, the Lancashire Evening Post reports.

Laura May suffered from scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that affects around three to four children in every 1,000 in the UK, according to NHS figures.

At the age of 11, her parents become worried about the development of the condition and approached the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for guidance.

They agreed that an operation would be required and Laura was admitted to the Royal Preston Hospital in February 2005 to have the procedure.

During the surgery, her spinal cord was damaged and she is now paralysed as a result.

Her family's legal team claim this was the result of negligence on the part of the surgeon, who did not use any system of "spinal cord monitoring".

The NHS trust, however, disputes the suggestions and says doctors took all reasonable care.

A compensation fund for people affected by asbestos-related illness has been established by the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA).

The organisation has put aside £85 million to pay out to victims of the hazardous insulating material, This is London reports.

There are a range of medical problems associated with exposure to the substance, including asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma, pleural plaques and asbestosis.

According to the LPFA, there could be a rise in the number of compensation claims it deals with over coming years.

It expects to process around 25 applications a year, totalling more than 400 by 2035.

The LPFA's decision follows the recent case of teacher Joan Henry, who died from mesothelioma in 2007.

Although she was not shown to have had direct contact with asbestos, her widower, Stephen, received £180,000 in an out-of-court settlement.

He said: "I hope that this case will help others receive compensation if they suffer similar tragedies."

A girl who was left blind as a result of mistakes made by a doctor has been awarded compensation of £1.5 million.

Tatum Rock went into King George Hospital, which is run by Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Hospitals Trust, in 1999 after banging her head in a fall.

Despite having X-rays performed on her, the doctor examining them failed to spot a tumour which was growing in the youngster's brain.

Four months later, she had to have an operation to remove the tumour and by this time it was too late to save her sight.

Recently, Tantum, who is now 16 years old, was awarded a payout by the hospital trust, which runs two main sites and serves a population of around 700,000.

She is currently studying at the Royal National Institute of Blind People and plans to go to university.

During a recent hearing, Mr Justice Cooke said he was sure she would have a "very successful" future, the Mirror reports.

A local authority has been ordered to pay compensation of £10,250 after a worker suffered damage to her back.

In October 2007, hostel duty officer for Leicester City Council Sharon Kerry was placing money in a safe when she injured herself.

The employee, who had worked for the organisation for six years, accelerated a pre-existing condition she had suffered from for between two and three years.

Colleagues had complained about the position of the safe on a number of occasions prior to the accident.

They had to kneel or bend down to access it, putting them at risk of injuring themselves.

Recently, the council - which has 54 councillors and employs more than 15,000 staff members - admitted liability and came to an out-of-court settlement concerning the staff member's claim.

Ms Kerry is currently deciding whether or not to have an operation on her back in order to improve her condition.

A man who suffered damage to his hearing as a result of his work activities has been awarded compensation of more than £12,000.

John Walton worked for the British Steel Corporation - which is now known as Corus - between 1978 and 1983, Darchem Projects from 1985 to 1987 and Turbros Engineering between 1987 and 2007.

While performing his role as a welder at these organisations, he developed occupational deafness, which he was diagnosed with in 2007.

Recently, Mr Walton received £12,750 in a payout from the three employers, which admitted liability and came to a settlement in an out-of-court settlement.

He had been suffering from hearing problems for a number of years but had not realised the extent of his deafness until he underwent a medical examination.

Occupational deafness describes the deterioration of an individual's hearing over a prolonged period of time as a result of his or her activities at work.

A teenager from Bury St Edmunds has been awarded compensation over mistakes made during her birth.

Kersha Sanders suffers from severe motor and language disabilities and has to use a wheelchair because she was starved of oxygen due to a delay in her delivery, the Bury Free Press reports.

She was born five weeks prematurely in June 1990 at West Suffolk Hospital, which moved to its current location on Hardwick Lane in 1973.

Recently, the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust agreed to a payout of more than £1 million.

According to Ms Sanders' legal team, the organisation - which is responsible for an area of approximately 600 square miles and serves around 270,000 people - admitted liability at an early stage.

During a recent High Court hearing, Mr Justice McDuff praised the 19-year-old's courage.

She is currently studying sports performance at college and is said to be receiving positive reports.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched a consultation concerning the compensation it provides for injured service people.

It is conducting a review of the payout scheme it operates and is seeking views from members of the public and forces personnel on the question of how much money should be issued in the event of illness, injury and death.

The department, which operates with an annual budget in excess of £32 billion, is giving people until November 19th to make their comments.

Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "I am committed to ensuring that the review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme that I have brought forward is thorough and wide-ranging."

He went on to state that he believes public engagement is "key" to achieving this.

The politician added that, while improvements have been made in terms of the payouts offered to troops and their families, he is "determined" to continue to make progress to ensure that people have confidence in the way compensation is decided.

A woman who suffered health problems as a result of a meal she ate while on holiday has been awarded compensation of £240,000.

Over seven years ago, Beryl Rushton was taking a vacation in the Dominican Republic when she accidentally bit into a black worm.

The creature was in a meal of red snapper she had ordered at the Hacienda Tropical beach resort in which she was staying.

As a result of ingesting the worm, the 66-year-old suffered organ failure, temporary blindness and septicaemia, which is a potentially fatal form of blood poisoning.

She still has to take 23 tablets a day for problems she suffers with her heart and bowel, as well as bone issues.

Commenting on her ordeal, Ms Rushton told the Daily Mail: "I have had three sons in childbirth. All that pain put together was nothing compared to it. I remember violent diarrhoea and blood loss through my nose and mouth."

The widow of a man who was killed in a workplace accident has been offered compensation in an out-of-court settlement.

In January 2007, Charles Kinsella was struck in the chest and trapped by the hydraulic arm of a vehicle he was trying to fix, the Watford Observer reports.

The accident occurred because a crucial machine arm control lever on the 14-tonne mechanical digger had not been left in its neutral position.

This caused the device to swing suddenly into the 61-year-old as soon as its safety catch was released.

Recently, Mr Kinsella's widow, Rachel, was awarded a payout worth six-figures.

However, she commented: "No amount of compensation will ever help me to get over the loss of Charlie."

According to figures from the Health and Safety Executive, a total of 180 workers died as a result of accidents over the course of 2008-09. This was a fall from the 233 recorded during the previous 12-month period.

A boy who was left brain damaged after being struck by a lorry while on a paper round is to receive compensation.

Joshua Smith, who was 13 at the time of the accident, was knocked by the vehicle in the market town of Cheadle near Stoke-on-Trent.

He was crossing the A522 in September 2005 when a Leyland DAF Road Runner lorry belonging to Mark Hammond ran into him.

As a result of the impact, he suffered an open head wound, a fractured pelvis, broken teeth, a ruptured kidney, bruised lungs and a brain injury.

Recently, a judge ruled that the driver was 40 per cent liable for the injuries suffered by the teenager because his vehicle had faulty brakes.

The sides will now attempt to reach an agreement concerning the amount of damages the youngster is entitled to.

If the parties fail to reach a consensus, the case will return to the high court for the sum to be assessed.

The family of a boy who has been left severely disabled as a result of mistakes made during his delivery has won its nine-year battle for compensation.

Lynn and Richard Heap launched their case against Blackpool Victoria Hospital - which is run by the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - after discovering that their son, Jack, had brain damage, the Blackpool Gazette reports.

Recently, the parents were awarded a settlement by the trust, which serves a population of 330,000.

During a court hearing in Preston, the pair were told they are in line to receive a payout which could amount to around £6 million.

Bosses at the hospital had admitted liability for Jack's injuries.

Responding to the development, Mr Heap said: "It's been a really difficult time. With so many court hearings we're really relieved it's over and we're so pleased Jack will be able to have the best possible care."

He added that the money will enable the family to secure the boy's future and give him the best life possible.

A woman who lost her husband to the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma has been awarded compensation of more than £300,000.

Michael Streets worked as a pipe fitter at the Fawley Refinery after leaving school in 1963 and came into contact with the hazardous insulating material at the site.

He was 60 years old when he died in December 2007.

Before he lost his fight with the disease, Mr Streets gave a witness statement saying it was impossible to avoid being exposed to asbestos while performing his role.

As well as mesothelioma, exposure to the substance can lead to conditions such as pleural plaques, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Recently, Mr Street's widow Francis won her legal battle against the Esso Petroleum Company and secured the payout.

Judge Nigel Wilkinson QC ordered the firm, which did not dispute liability, to compensate her.

The sum included £65,000 for the "pain, suffering and loss of amenity" she had endured during the months before her husband's death.

A man who suffered injuries to his spine as a result of a workplace accident has secured compensation of £22,000.

In February 2007, John Atkin was performing his role as a delivery driver for Johnston Press - which describes itself as one of the three largest local newspaper publishers in the UK - when the accident happened.

He had moved into the back of a vehicle which contained pallets that had not been loaded correctly.

Due to the lack of space in the van, he had to manoeuvre in an awkward way and consequently damaged his back.

Medics advised him to avoid lifting and he was off work for eight months before being forced to leave his role.

Mr Atkin had pre-existing problems with his back but he did not suffer symptoms until the accident.

Recently, Johnston Press, which had admitted liability in the case, settled the former employee's claim out of court.

A care home operator has been ordered to issue compensation after a woman suffered injuries to her hip.

Ellen Clewarth, who is 92 years old, sustained a broken hip after becoming entangled in bed railings, the BBC reports.

Aston Hall Care Home was recently fined during a hearing at Flintshire Magistrates' Court after admitting a breach of health and safety at work regulations at the home, which is situated in the north Wales village of Hawarden.

An investigation after the accident revealed that the home had no system in place to manage her bed railings and they had been used incorrectly.

This was despite the fact that Ms Clewarth had a history of attempting to get out of bed and becoming caught in the rails.

Sandra Fenwick, prosecuting for Flintshire council, said: "Bed rails are known to pose hazards in a care home. They are a significant risk to residents if not managed properly."

A total of £4.46 million has been paid to a family in the north-west after they reached a settlement with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust over a negligence claim.

The family, who wish to remain anonymous, sought compensation after finding that their child did not receive adequate ventilation at Billinge Hospital following his premature birth, which left him badly brain damaged.

According to Wigan Today, the boy's parents were not aware that anything was wrong until over a year later when they were informed at another hospital that he had cerebral palsy.

A further two years down the line, it was suggested to them that they should look into the child's medical history to see if any negligence had contributed to his condition, which means he will need high levels of care for the rest of his life.

Following the settlement, a spokesperson for the trust - which operates Wrightington Hospital, Leigh Infirmary, Wigan Infirmary and the Thomas Linacre Centre - said the organisation regrets the injuries caused.

A former RAF technician has launched legal proceedings in a bid to secure compensation after being involved in an accident that left him paralysed.

Robert Lee Uren broke his neck during a fun day activity and is now suing Corporate Leisure and the Ministry of Defence - which has a yearly budget in excess of £32 billion.

The 25-year-old, whose case is expected to be heard on November 23rd, slipped while diving into an inflatable pool in an attempt to collect plastic fruit.

He was left paralysed from the waist down and has since been medically discharged from the RAF.

The ex-serviceman is wheelchair bound and suffers from severe spasms as a result of the incident.

In a recent interview with the Western Morning News, he said: "I hate pity and I don't want to feel sorry for myself. I have received a lot of support from people and I just want to get on with my life as best I can."

A motorcyclist from the south-east of England is chasing £250,000 in compensation over a car accident that left him with serious shoulder injuries.

Benfleet resident Richard Tait, 62, continues to struggle with the joint despite it being operated on twice, according to the local Echo newspaper, and is now going to the High Court in London - which oversees the country's most serious civil trials - to seek damages.

A writ issued by Mr Tait alleges that he was driving on the A13 on October 19th 2006 when Olumuyiwa Ogunyode, in a car, entered his lane from the left hand side and crashed into him.

The document also states that the insurance company of Mr Ogunyode, who resides in Parnell Road, London, has accepted liability for the incident.

It is estimated that if successful the claim could be worth a quarter of a million pounds. Mr Tait, an electrician, has not been able to return to work since the collision and it is thought he may never be able to do so.

A woman is suing the Whittington Hospitals NHS Trust for clinical negligence over an operation she says has left her unable to walk without a stick.

Vivienne Edwards told the London Evening Standard that she underwent surgery to relieve severe backache at the Whittington Hospital in 2006.

She explained that she was informed by her surgeon - Chinh Nguyen - that the side effects of the procedure would be minimal.

Ms Edwards stated she was discharged the day after the operation, despite complaining of symptoms including back pain.

And the 60-year-old recalled a later check-up meeting with Dr Nguyen, telling the news source: "I was very tearful and told him he must have damaged a nerve. He calmly said it was pure coincidence and continued to insist the operation had been a success."

Last week, the Daily Mail noted that Cristina Malcolm received £4.4 million in compensation after suffering brain damage as a result of misdiagnosis.

A family has launched a claim against a school following an attack that left a teenager with brain damage.

Henry Webster's skull was fractured in three places when he was hit with a claw hammer by a gang at Ridgeway School in Wroughton, Wiltshire in January 2007.

He was aged 15 at the time and in a police video interview six days later he explained that he had been punched in the back of the head and was repeatedly struck while on the ground.

Mr Webster's family is now bringing a case for damages before the High Court, claiming that the school failed in its duty of care.

According to the BBC, the family believes a culture of bullying was allowed to become established, but the institution has said it cannot be held responsible, with the attack occurring outside of school hours.

Last year, 13 teenagers were convicted over the attack by Bristol Crown Court.

A Morrisons employee who lost an eye and was left unable to eat after a car accident at his workplace in Crewe is to seek compensation.

Audlem, Cheshire resident Kevin Brookshaw suffered the severe facial injuries after a safety barrier at the supermarket's petrol station smashed through his windscreen.

The company - which is the fourth largest retailer of its kind in the UK - has been fined £172,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, but the 52-year-old is to continue with a civil action to obtain damages.

His wife Pauline told the Staffordshire and South Cheshire Sentinel: "Kevin will never work again and little things like a trip to the shops are a major exercise and holidays are virtually out of the question."

Mr Brookshaw, who is now incapable of speech, wrote following last week's hearing that he is not angry about the incident and considers himself lucky to be alive.ADNFCR-1500-ID-19415795-ADNFCR

A woman who sustained brain damage as a result of medical errors has been awarded compensation of £4.4 million.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Cristina Malcolm suffered a brain haemorrhage, whereby blood leaks from vessels in the brain and can cause damage to the organ's tissue.

She went to her GP after collapsing with a severe headache. However, she was diagnosed with a virus.

Two weeks after this, she suffered a more severe haemorrhage and had to undergo emergency surgery to save her life.

She now has problems with her memory and needs round-the-clock care. In addition, the 41-year-old will never be able to work again.

Commenting on the payout, her husband, Sandy, said: "It is a huge relief as the money will help provide the care and support that Cristina will need for the rest of her life."

She has been left permanently brain damaged and will not be able to remember anything for longer than ten minutes, he added.

The family of a man who died following an operation to remove a shadow from his lungs is considering taking legal action.

In June this year, 58-year-old Joseph Gill was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - which is the largest hospital within NHS Grampian and has around 900 beds.

During the first two days of his stay at the medical centre, the father-of-three was given six pills which were not prescribed for him and, as a result of ingesting the medication, he collapsed.

After doctors believed he had recovered sufficiently, he went for the surgery and he died on July 16th.

His widow, Eileen, commented: "It was just meant to be routine. Joe had a shadow on this lung, but the doctors said they couldn't do a biopsy because of where it was, so said they'd take away half his lung to save his life," local paper the Press and Journal reports.

According to NHS Grampian, there was no clinical connection between the pills Mr Gill was given and his death.

The parents of two girls who suffered sickness while on holiday are seeking compensation from their tour operator.

Robert and Diane Parker's daughters, Megan and Ruby, were struck down by salmonella - a food poisoning which is the second most common form of gastrointestinal illness in the UK - while abroad in Turkey, South Yorkshire paper the Star reports.

Megan, who was worst affected by the bug, lost three-quarters of a stone and could not walk due to her ankles being swollen.

Upon the family's return to Britain, the 11-year-old had to be admitted to Rotherham District General hospital.

Her mother commented: "It was horrible. Megan is usually so fit and active. She dances with the Dinnington SD Crew, she plays netball and gymnastics and has represented Yorkshire for athletics."

She and her husband are now seeking compensation from First Choice, which they claim has not acknowledged their letter of complaint.

A boy who was the victim of mistakes made by medics at a UK hospital has been awarded compensation of over £7 million.

In February 1999, Harry Snowdon was delivered by Caesarean section at the John Radcliffe Hospital, which is run by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust.

Staff at the medical centre left it for four hours too long before they conducted the procedure, meaning the baby suffered oxygen starvation.

According to the family's legal team, his mother, Debra Snowdon, was also given an excess dose of a drug intended to induce labour.

Due to the damage he suffered, Harry has learning difficulties, no appreciation of danger and is prone to violent tantrums.

His mother said: "We have pursued this claim to ensure that Harry is looked after and taken care of for the rest of his life."

Meanwhile, the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust - which describes itself as one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country - said it is "deeply sorry" for the distress caused.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) proved unsuccessful in its attempts to limit the compensation to be received by two soldiers injured in combat.

In 2005, Corporal Anthony Duncan of the Light Dragoons was shot in the leg and was awarded a payout of £9,250. This was raised to £46,000 on appeal, however, as the damage he suffered had been aggravated by treatment.

Meanwhile, Marine Matthew McWilliams received £8,250 after he broke his leg in 2004. This sum was upped to £28,750 for the same reason.

The MoD, which operates on a budget of more than £32 billion a year, appealed the decisions and argued that awards should only be made for original injuries.

During a recent Court of Appeal hearing, it was ruled that military personnel can claim more if their injuries get worse.

The soldier's supporters described the verdict as a "tremendous win".

An independent tribunal will now decide the compensation which is to be awarded to the servicemen.

A woman whose husband was seriously injured when he fell from a night bus in London has spoken of their battle to secure compensation.

The accident occurred in the capital's West End in 2005 and left Vincenzo Bollito in a coma, This is London reports.

As a result of the damage he suffered to his head, the 36-year-old has impaired sight and memory and does not always recognise his family.

In addition, he is not expected to be able to work again.

His wife, Filomena Esposito, said they welcome the £1 million payout recently awarded to them.

She commented: "It's been a long four-year battle and it was terrible for us all. It has been an incredibly stressful time for all of us. My husband can no longer work and that will continue."

Ms Esposito, who lives in the south London suburb of Streatham, added that both she and her husband's lives have been altered permanently and she does not know what the future will hold.

A couple whose baby son died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff have been awarded compensation of £160,000.

Arun lost his life as a result of critical delays during his birth at the medical centre, which is run by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

When his mother, Joanne Rees, went into labour in November 2005, midwives at the hospital failed to spot that the baby was in distress.

One doctor believed that she was not in labour at all but rather needed the toilet.

Arun was born prematurely after suffering brain damage.

Ms Rees and her partner Krishna Govekar were not told about the extent of the damage until five days later. They subsequently took the decision to switch the life-support machine off.

Katie Norton, director of primary, community and mental health services at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board - which provides services to a population of around 500,000 - said it apologies for distress caused.

Over a period of four years, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has paid out more than £50 million to injured members of the armed forces, it has been claimed. According to the latest figures for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the organisation - which has an annual budged in excess of £32 billion - made the payments between 2005 and 2009.

In addition, the figure is expected to increase significantly as a result of the ongoing action in Afghanistan, where the death toll and number of service people suffering injuries is rising.

Three-quarters of the payments were made to members of the armed forces aged between 20 and 34, it was revealed.

Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common cause of compensation, followed by fractures and dislocations, wounds and scarring, mental disorders and amputations.

Meanwhile, mental trauma charity Combat Stress has reported an increase in the number of ex-service people seeking its help of 56 per cent since 2005, the Telegraph reports.

A woman who gave birth to a stillborn child has been awarded a five-figure sum in compensation.

In 2005, Louisa Greenslade underwent pregnancy tests at the Princess Alexandra Hospital which showed unusual amounts of protein and glucose in her system, the Harlow Herald 24 reports.

According to the publication, these results were ignored.

The 26-year-old began experiencing contractions on June 20th and went to the hospital with her husband.

Upon arrival, she was told to go home but collapsed in pain in the car park.
Ms Greenslade was still advised leave the medical centre. She called the hospital the next day concerned that the foetus had stopped moving but was told to rest in bed.

Later that day, she went to the labour ward and the death of her unborn child was confirmed.

As well as issuing a payout, the Princess Alexandra Hospital - which is located in Essex and houses 489 beds - has apologised to Ms Greenslade.

Billions of dollars-worth of compensation is due to be delivered as a result of several plane crashes this year.

A meeting of global reinsurance firms in Monte Carlo revealed that firms will be giving as much as $1.3 billion (£787 million) to victims and their families, DPA reports.

Firms present at the event suggested that, for this reason, 2009 will go down as one of the worst years on record for aviation insurance.

Some $354 million in compensation will be offered for the Colgan Air crash in the US in February, while the Yemenia Airlines incident in late June near the Comoros islands will rack up $239 million.

In addition, $747 million in payouts is expected to result from the June 1st Air France Airbus crash in the Atlantic Ocean, in which 228 people died.

Earlier this year, the Air France Airbus was flying from Brazil to Paris when it disappeared in a storm over the Atlantic. Among the victims were people from 32 different countries, including five Britons.

This represented the airline's worst loss of life in the company's 75-years in business, according to the BBC.

The family of a man who died in a road accident have been awarded £70,000 in compensation.

Isle of White resident Thomas Whittaker was killed by an oncoming car as he was lying in the road of a dark country lane, according to the island's County Press.

Prior to his death, he was employed by Isle of White Pearl, which produces a range of genuine and costume jewellery.

Although the reason for Mr Whittaker's predicament is unknown, the insurance companies involved paid out the sum to his family.

The incident occurred at 03:00 GMT on August 14th, 2006. He suffered several injuries and died at the scene.

A barrister for the Whittakers spoke at London's High Court, stating: "This was a tragic accident on the Isle of Wight in which four children lost their father.

"The cause of the accident remains a mystery effectively; all we know is that, for some reason, the deceased was lying in the road."

A man who suffered an injury after driving over a pothole is seeking compensation from his local authority.

Melvin Bangle is hoping to sue West Sussex County Council after his front teeth were knocked out when he traversed the problem in the road, the Surrey Herald reports.

While driving to his caravan in Bracklesham Bay, he experienced a dip in the road, which caused him to hit his head on the roof of his vehicle.

The force of the impact caused him to bite his tongue and displaced several of his front teeth, which cost the 71-year-old £2,045 in dentistry work, while he had to fork out £250 for the damage inflicted on his motor.

His speech and ability to eat certain foods have been affected by the incident.

The council are refusing to admit culpability, however, Mr Bangle claims.

He commented: "The council are saying to my insurance company that they didn't know the potholes were there and that they are not responsible.

"I want compensation but it's not about the money, I want them to admit responsibility."

The authority recently released its annual governance statement, in which it claims to have complied with the official framework that stipulates it must conduct its business in accordance with the law, safeguard public money and use it economically and efficiently.

A man who was seriously injured in a car crash has been successful in his bid to secure compensation.

According to a report in the Portsmouth News, Robert Briggs was struck from behind while driving in November 2005.

The force of the impact caused his spine to bend into an 'S' shape, meaning he was left unable to continue is his voluntary career as a senior helmsman at Hayling Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Located on the southeast corner of Hayling Island, the institution is a recognised charity that saves lives at sea.

Commenting on the accident, Mr Briggs said: "I was always at the life-boat station so a big part of my life was over when I had to stop. It was devastating."

Recently, he was awarded a payout of £6,000 from the insurers of the other driver involved in the crash, which he intends to spend on a holiday with his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

The daughter of a man who died from a lung disease caused by his exposure to silica dust at work has secured compensation of £85,000.

Roy Gamble died four years ago at the age of 73 from lung cancer which he developed as a result of inhaling tiny particles of the dust, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

He had worked for British Coal between 1954 and 1984 in pits including Glasshoughton and Kellingley - which is located in West Yorkshire.

After being diagnosed with the condition in 2003, Mr Gamble lodged a claim for compensation with British Coal.

Commenting on his legal battle, his daughter, Linda, said: "Just a few days before he died he was in the Prince of Wales Hospice at Pontefract and he said 'whatever you do, don't let this claim go'."

She added that her father wanted her to continue the fight so that other people with the same condition do not get passed by.

In addition, he wanted any compensation won to be a legacy for her and the rest of her family.

A woman who fell at work while pregnant has received a payout of £9,000.

Andrea Swales was performing her role as a civil servant at the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) offices in Peterlee when the accident occurred.

The 39-year-old, who was four months away from her due date, tripped on a loose carpet tile in her office and fell onto a seat, twisting her back in the process.

It was not until after she had given birth to her child that she realised she had damaged her back.

During her six week post-pregnancy check-up, she informed her doctor about pain she was suffering and was told she would need physiotherapy.

Ms Swales has also received steroid injections to help relieve her discomfort.

Recently, HMRC admitted liability and settled the claim out of court.

Formed in April 2005, HMRC exists to ensure that the correct tax is paid at the right time.
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A 42-year-old man from Preston has been awarded £2,000 in compensation after being involved in a cycling accident two years ago.

Antony Di Domenico, a member of cycling association the CTC, slipped on an oil spillage near Garstang, Lancashire in June 2007 and took several months to recover from his injuries, which affected his shoulder, hip and knee.

His claim was initially rejected by the Highway Authority and Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) on the grounds of liability not being proven and the police not being informed of the incident, but an appeal by his solicitor eventually saw him win the case.

A witness stated that a farmer had caused the oil spill and had attempted to cover it up with sand. According to Russell Jones & Walker's Paul MacBeth, who acted on Mr Di Domenico's behalf, "closer inspection of the evidence" revealed this unknown driver to be negligent.

He added: "The payout in the case accounts not only for the injury caused by the accident itself but also the stress and problems that arose subsequently."

The MIB was set up in 1946 to compensate those who suffer at the hands of negligent untraced or uninsured motorists.

A local authority in England paid compensation to 26 victims of falls caused by faulty pavements over the last five years.

This is according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act.

It was discovered that a total of £1.2 million was issued in payouts by Stockton Borough Council to the people in question.

Meanwhile, a further 67 claims remain outstanding.

Responding to the figures, Stockton Borough Council said it had overhauled the inspection and maintenance of its pavements and was spending more on improving them.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "That has resulted in a dramatic decrease in claims where compensation was made, from 15 claims in 2004-05 to only one in 2008-09."

Employing more than 8,000 people, Stockton Borough Council provides services to people living in Billingham, Stockton, Thornaby, Ingleby Barwick, Yarm and the surrounding areas. It is headquartered in the Municipal Buildings in Stockton-on-Tees.

A 37-year-old man from Cheddar, Somerset has claimed his family deserves compensation after one of his children contracted salmonella while on holiday in Turkey.

Five-year-old Joseph Brooks was diagnosed with having been poisoned by the bacteria after returning from the trip to the Holiday Village in Sarigerme, during which sibling Daniel, aged seven, mother Donna and dad Simon all fell ill, the Weston & Somerset Mercury reports.

Simon told the newspaper that he believes his family should be compensated by travel agent First Choice, which claimed to be "genuinely sorry" to hear of an instance where its guests have felt unwell.

He commented: "I just want my money back as our holiday was ruined, but First Choice say I have to put my complaint in writing and I will get a reply within 28 days."

The two-week holiday cost £3,000 and the Brooks family had to pay an additional £120 to cover medical expenses.

First Choice's website describes the Holiday Village as "fantastic", with "something to offer everyone".

A hospital which gave a young epilepsy patient the wrong medication has issued an apology and awarded compensation.

In 1997, Ryan Pitcher died at the age of three as a result of being incorrectly treated, the BBC reports.

Subsequent investigations by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust found that Dr Andrew Holton misdiagnosed him, along with other youngsters, over a period of ten years at the Royal Infirmary in Leicester.

A spokesperson for the medical centre said: "Ryan's case was very complex and it was investigated extremely carefully.

"On the basis of expert evidence, the trust accepts that Ryan's treatment and medication were incorrect."

He added that the trust is "deeply sorry" for what happened.

The terms of the settlement between the trust and the family have not been disclosed.

Employing around 12,000 members of staff, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust serves people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

Singer-songwriter Pete Burns has secured a payout of £450,000 over cosmetic surgery which he claims ruined his life.

The 49-year-old, who is best known for his role in pop band Dead or Alive, sued Dr Maurizio Viel, the medical professional who gave him lip implants at the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery.

The centre offers a range of treatments, including nose corrections, ear surgery and breast reductions.

He suffered a reaction to a filler used by the doctor, causing his lips to swell, blister and become lumpy.

Recently, Dr Viel admitted negligence and offered Burns money in an out-of-court settlement.

He had used a product known as Outline Original, despite warnings on it relating to its use in conjunction with other products.

Commenting on his ordeal, Burns stated: "As I looked in the mirror, it felt like everything I had worked for was ruined due to the disabling injuries I suffered caused by Dr Maurizio Viel."

He added that he is glad the case is now over.

A man who developed hand arm vibration syndrome (Havs) because of his work has been awarded compensation of £8,500.

Anthony Barry was employed by the Ford Motor Company in Halewood for 33 years and used a variety of vibrating tools each day, the St Helens Star reports.

Due to the continual vibration, he began suffering problems with his hands.

He took early retirement from the organisation nine years ago and now performs a role as a visitor assistant at the National Museums Liverpool, meaning he no longer works with vibrating equipment.

Also known as vibration white finger, the condition typically occurs in people who use such things as chainsaws, hammer drills, concrete breakers and power motors.

Employers have a legal responsibility to protect workers from the ailment.

Mr Barry said: "I was never warned about the dangers of developing this condition. I met some former work colleagues in 2005 who told me it was Havs."

A hospital trust has admitted it was to blame over mistakes made by surgeons.

This week, the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust, which employs a total of over 10,000 people, admitted full liability for the errors, the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reports.

In September last year, Michael Hart had a routine operation to remove a compressed disc from his neck.

The procedure involves inserting a metal disc known as a cage to replace it.

During the operation, the wrong size cage was fitted and it slipped out of place, causing severe damage to his spinal cord.

The 36-year-old was left a tetraplegic and spent six months in hospital recuperating.

According to medical experts, it is unlikely that Mr Hart will ever walk again and he now has only limited use of his hands.

He is to receive compensation from the hospital trust which will reflect his lost earnings and the costs of his care, accommodation, specialist equipment and rehabilitation treatment.

A man who suffered serious injuries while at work has been awarded compensation by his employer.

Wayne Wellard was performing his role as a warehouse worker when the accident happened, MK News reports.

The 40-year-old was retrieving a box from a pallet that was incorrectly raised from the ground and was too high.

He felt a pain in his groin but was advised by first aiders to continue working.

However, the discomfort got worse and after being unable to complete his next shift, he consulted medics and was informed he had a hernia.

After undergoing surgery, Mr Wellard developed a serious infection in the wound and has since had to have further operations.

He is now registered disabled and is unable to work.

Commenting on his injuries, he said: "This has devastated my life. I can't work, I can't play with my children, I struggle to even help my wife around the house. I've almost lost my house twice and had to rely on family and friends financially, which is horrendous."

Mr Wellard is currently waiting for a referral to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which is run by Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

A young man who was left disabled due to delays in the diagnosis of his condition has been awarded compensation of £72,500.

Anthony Venner was admitted to Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH) in February with symptoms of cauda equina syndrome.

A serious condition, the syndrome occurs when the nerves at the base of the spinal cord become compressed.

It can cause lower back pain, paralysis of one or both legs, bowel disturbance, pain in the thighs and numbness in the groin, among other things.

According to Mr Venner's legal team, he was reassured and discharged at this stage. However, his symptoms got worse and he was referred back to the orthopaedic team at the DGH.

After it was confirmed that he had the condition, he was transferred to Hurstwood Park for surgery.

The procedure was not performed until 48 hours after his admission with the suspected diagnosis and by this time his condition had progressed to include urinary symptoms.

Mr Venner, who is in his 30s, has been left with a considerable degree of disability and has been unable to return to his job as a prison officer.

The hospital trust did not admit liability but a settlement was reached.

A man whose two sons sustained injuries when a theme park ride they were on crashed may seek compensation, he has said.

Zahid Shafeez was with his family at the Pleasure Beach resort in Blackpool when the incident occurred, the Manchester Evening News reports.

The 45-year-old was watching his sons from the ground along with his wife when he realised that the Big Dipper ride they were on was experiencing technical problems.

Two cars on the rollercoaster collided, leaving those on them trapped.

Both the boys, who are aged 12 and 13, suffered bruising to their knees and were taken to hospital.

Mr Shafeez said: "It was terrible to be on the ground watching it happen and the rescue. I was so worried for my sons and my wife, who fainted.

"Fortunately they were not too badly injured, but they are young children and this should not have happened."

Blackpool Pleasure Beach claims to attract a total of more than 6.2 million visitors each year.

A man who is part of a group taking legal action after they were burned by sofas has become the first to receive a payout.

According to reports on the BirminghamMail.net, Maurice Heminsley has been awarded a four-figure sum in compensation.

The 68-year-old was one of a number of people who sustained chemical burns from leather settees imported from China. This is encouraging news for the clients of Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors who are representing most of the victims in the UK's largest group litigation order.

Within days of buying the item, he began suffering from a rash which spread across his neck, back and legs and eventually turned into open sores.

Eventually, Mr Heminsley had to be admitted to hospital and treated for acute contact dermatitis - a skin reaction which typically causes inflammation.

He stated: "The settlement means I can now put this really painful episode in the past and move on with my life. However, I'm annoyed that more wasn't done to protect consumers."

Mr Heminsley added the sofas should have been withdrawn from sale as soon as the manufacturers knew there was a problem.

A man who was the victim of food poisoning while abroad has been successful in his bid to secure compensation.

Carl Riley was holidaying in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, which is situated on a coastal strip by the Red Sea, when he contracted E coli.

The 46-year-old claims it was a burger he ate at a barbeque organised by staff at his hotel that was responsible for making him sick.

He suffered weeks of stomach pains and eventual kidney failure and has since had to give up work.

Mr Riley has to attend three dialysis sessions per week as a result of the damage he suffered.

His life expectancy has declined and he will continue needing the sessions until the end of his life unless he has a liver and kidney transplant.

Recently, First Choice Holidays admitted liability in the case and settled his negligence claim out of court.

A number of diners who suffered food poisoning after eating at a restaurant are seeking compensation.

According to reports in the Ilkley Gazette, the claimants ate at the Saffron in 2007 and contracted a bug known as giardia lamblia, which is an infection of the digestive system caused by parasites.

The main symptom of the condition is diarrhoea.

Some of the people affected by the outbreak required more than one dose of medication to clear their symptoms and a number experienced weight loss.

Recently, the owners of the restaurant - which has now closed down - were banned for life from working with food and were handed suspended jail sentences.

A local woman who caught the bug after eating there welcomed the decision of the case but said that the victims whose symptoms were worse than her own may be unhappy with the suspended jail sentences.

Meanwhile, a legal representative confirmed that compensation claims are still being pursued.

A man is seeking a payout over what he claims were surgical errors.

Terry Heath underwent a knee replacement operation at Weston General Hospital, which is run by the Weston Area Health NHS Trust.

The procedure was carried out by a Scandinavian doctor who had been drafted in as a part of an initiative to reduce waiting lists.

A year after the operation, he had to undergo further surgery to correct damage that had been done.

Prior to the knee replacement, the 65-year-old had been active and worked two jobs.

However, he is now severely restricted in his movements.

A court date concerning the case has been set for next June.

Mr Heath hopes to receive compensation to enable him to live more comfortably and to have someone help with his care.

Employing around 1,800 staff, Weston Area Health NHS Trust is based in Weston-super-Mare and is responsible for more than 370 hospital beds.

People who injured themselves as a result of falls caused by faulty pavements in North Tyneside have received payouts totalling a combined sum of around £325,000 since 2004.

This is according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act, the News Guardian reports.

Commenting on the issue, councillor Graeme Brett suggested that many of the injuries suffered by pedestrians in the area could have been avoided if preventative action had been taken.

He said: "On numerous occasions Lib Dem councillors have reported bad pavements to officers, but have been told they meet council standards."

The councillor went on to state that more money should have been spent repairing footpaths to reduce the number of people who sustained damage and consequently claimed money in compensation.

North Tyneside Council, which issued the payouts to fall victims over the five-year period, is headquartered on the city's Cobalt Business Park.

The levels of payout awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to injured troops are often inadequate, it has been claimed.

Commenting on the issue, former soldier Kerry Fletcher said she was "disgusted" by the amounts given out in some cases.

She was herself awarded a payout from the MoD - which has an annual budget in excess of £32 billion - in a sex discrimination case last year.

Being interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live, Ms Fletcher stated: "I'm embarrassed the MoD have only given them such a low sum. To be honest, I'm disgusted in the MoD more than anything."

She added that if she was one of the people who had been injured, she would fight against the MoD to get what she deserved.

Ms Fletcher added: "They do deserve a hell of a lot more money than what they got."

The ex-Lance Bombardier, who is 32 years old, is now living in Germany.

A woman who was struck by a car and suffered serious injuries as a result has been awarded a payout.

Three years ago, Nicola Potts was walking on a pedestrian crossing when a Volkswagen Golf hit both her and her friend, the Richmond and Twickenham Times reports.

She had to be taken to Kingston Hospital, which is based around 12 miles from central London.

Among the injuries she had suffered were a fractured leg, cheekbone and wrist, shattered pelvis, bruising to her leg and face and cracked upper teeth.

She had to stay in the medical centre for six weeks due to the severity of the damage she had sustained.

In a recent development, Ms Potts was awarded compensation.

She stated: "I have tried to tackle my injuries by working hard to recover and get back to the life I had before. But there have been times I have found this very difficult and a huge financial worry."

The family of a woman who died while on holiday is to receive compensation.

Emily Jordan was on a river boarding trip in Kawarau River near Queenstown in New Zealand when she became trapped beneath a rock last year.

She was underwater for 20 minutes.

The 21-year-old could have been saved if a rope had been available, a trial was recently told.

According to her boyfriend, Jonny Armour, who was travelling with her, they had not been warned about the risk of getting trapped under rocks.

Black Sheep Adventures, which organised the trip, was fined after admitting two health and safety breaches.

It was also ordered to pay Ms Jordan's family £33,500.

Ms Jordan's father, who was present at the trial in New Zealand, said the family would continue to campaign to improve regulations governing the extreme sports industry.

The Kawarau River is located in northwestern Otagov and it flows for around 60km from Lake Wakatipi until it reaches Lake Dunstan.

A man has accused a hospital of surgical mistakes which he says jeopardised his health.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Mark Wattson went in to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon to have his appendix removed after suffering months of pain.

The 35-year-old was subsequently told by doctors that the procedure has been a success.

However, weeks later he collapsed and had to be re-admitted to the medical centre by ambulance.

Surgeons discovered that his appendix was in fact still in his body and had burst.

An emergency operation to finally remove it had to be conducted.

Mr Wattson said: "I feel that if the surgery had been done correctly in the first place I wouldn't be in the mess I am today. I'm disgusted by the whole experience."

He has not been able to secure employment since and claims to be in constant pain.

The Great Western Hospital is run by the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which provides services for a population of around 300,000 and employs 3,300 staff.

A woman is set to take legal action against a local authority after suffering an injury in a fall.

Jan Holtman tripped on a footpath in Hamilton, suffering a broken bone in her foot as a result, the Hamilton Advertiser reports.

The 67-year-old, who was on her way to buy a newspaper when the accident, blames damaged paving for her fall.

She claims she is still in pain as a result of the damage she sustained.

Ms Holtman said: "I was walking along the pavement, lost my balance and hit the ground.

"Some workmen had came out and lifted the double hatch. The pavement was left in such a condition that it was not safe enough to walk on"

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for South Lanarkshire council said that the footpaths in question are inspected on a monthly basis and the last set of assessments found no defects.

Serving a population of around 308,000, the local authority employs more than 16,000 workers and has an annual budget of £1 billion.

A man who was seriously injured by a bus is taking legal action in a bid to secure compensation.

James Stones left a cinema in November 2007 when he slipped, causing his legs to slide under the middle wheels of a bendy bus, the Camden New Journal reports.

The 43-year-old was dragged along the ground as the vehicle pulled away.

One of his legs was nearly torn off and his arm was broken. In addition, he sustained internal injuries.

The former crane operator required 13 operations and remained in the Royal London Hospital, which is located in the east end of London, for ten months.

Mr Stones is seeking a payout from Transport for London.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "Clearly, it's always upsetting when anyone is injured in a collision with a bus. Any legal approach to any of the bus companies which operate our routes would be treated extremely seriously."

A police officer who was injured when a herd of cows trampled him has secured a payout.

Inspector Chris Poole was walking his dog on the Sussex Downs, which are located on the south-east coast of England.

As a result of his run-in with the cattle, he sustained a punctured lung, four broken ribs and a severed artery.

In a recent development, he was awarded over £10,000 in compensation for his suffering.

Commenting on his injuries, Inspector Poole said: "I was off work for five months which was a shock because I've always been fit and healthy. Being incapable of work was a real shock to the system."

The father-of-one has been left unable to take regular exercise as a result of the damage inflicted on him by the cows.

According to the police officer, many people do not realise how dangerous cows can be and signs should be put up warning people of the risks.

A woman is taking legal action against the NHS in an attempt to secure a payout after she was the victim of surgical mistakes.

Lynn Main went into Horton General Hospital - which first opened in 1872 - to have a hysterectomy.

However, surgeons made mistakes during the procedure and stitched her bowel closed.

Two days after the operation, the 55-year-old began suffering from severe stomach pains and was unable to use the lavatory for two weeks.

Doctors advised her to eat more food, mistaking the problem to be constipation.

Eventually, Ms Main suffered an internal rupture and had to undergo further surgery to repair the damage caused.

Along with her partner, Alan Scott, she has instructed her solicitor to initiate legal proceedings against the hospital and a spokesperson for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust said it was carrying out an investigation.

The spokesperson also apologised for any distress caused.

A man who suffered serious injuries to his arm while at work is pursuing a claim for compensation.

Philip Poyntz was working at a factory run by chewing gum maker Wrigley's when the accident occurred.

The 30-year-old was cleaning a production line in January 2007 when his arm became caught in a machine which had inadequate guards on it.

He nearly lost the limb as a result of the accident and has been unable to return to work since.

Mr Poyntz required six hours of surgery and was left with severe nerve and muscle damage.

Recently, Wrigley's was fined £150,000 after admitting to health and safety breaches and it was ordered to cover the legal costs of the case.

In addition, Mr Poyntz is pursuing a civil claim in a bid to get a payout.

Meanwhile, Wrigley's said it has invested £3 million in new health and safety equipment since the accident.

A grandmother is taking legal action in a bid to secure a payout after she fell while walking.

Carol Jones was on Portishead High Street when she tripped on a hole last August, the Weston & Somerset Mercury reports.

The 63-year-old still claims to be suffering pain as a result of the incident.

She is in the process of establishing who is responsible for the pavement area where the fall took place.
Ms Jones said: "I hurt both ankles badly and couldn't walk for weeks after the fall. I still have severe pain and swelling on one ankle and I want to sue whoever is responsible for the hole in the pavement that is still there."

Meanwhile, Nick Yates, a spokesperson for North Somerset council - which is headquartered in Weston-super-Mare - stated that the local authority has a team of inspectors which goes out to check pavement safety in the region.

A girl who suffered brain damage as a result of mistakes made during her delivery has been awarded compensation of £1 million.

According to reports in the Portsmouth News, Abigail Thomson developed quadriplegic cerebral palsy - which affects movement and coordination - as a result of a "negligent delay" when she was born.

She was delivered at St Mary's Hospital in March 2003.

Through her mother, she sued the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and, after admitting liability in the case, the organisation agreed to pay a lump sum of £1.35 million.

In addition, yearly payments will begin at £80,000 when she reaches 18 and will rise until they peak at £115,000. The money is to help fund the costs of her care.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Eady said it was in Abigail's best interests, adding: "There is here a remarkable history of devoted care by this family over a considerable period of time."

A man who was left with serious injuries when the motorbike he was riding hit a car is entitled to claim compensation, a judge has ruled.

James McKune was travelling on the bike with his fiancee Hayley Westwood when a car pulled out of a side road, causing them to crash, the Northwich Guardian reports.

As a result of the incident, which occurred on the A530 in the Cheshire market town of Northwich, he was left paralysed.

Recently, Judge Holman threw out an appeal against a previous verdict that the driver of the car involved in the crash was 75 per cent liable.

He said that the motorist, who had recently passed his test, probably neither looked in his wing mirror nor indicated before manoeuvring suddenly.

According to the judge, Mr McKune had been driving at a reasonable speed.

He will now be able to claim compensation, which could be considerable given the extent of his injuries.

A man who lost part of his leg while in hospital has been awarded compensation.

Bret Ravenhill was involved in a motorbike accident in July 2002 and was admitted to Barnsley District General Hospital, South Yorkshire paper the Star reports.

The 29-year-old broke his leg and his elbow as a result of the crash, as well as sustaining facial injuries.

While in the medical centre, which is run by Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, his elbow was operated on.

He was then transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to receive treatment for his facial damage.

Staff at the centre were not aware of his leg problems when he arrived, but called in an orthopaedic surgeon to assess the limb urgently.

The surgeon advised that the damage to his soft tissue was so serious that there was no choice but to amputate his lower leg.

He was transferred to the Northern General hospital for the procedure.

After his operation, Bret's rehabilitation was delayed by problems in finding a prosthetic limb that was comfortable.

Recently, he was awarded compensation after Barnsley Hospital admitted responsibility for the amputation.

A woman who was injured when she was hit by a vehicle is taking legal action in a bid to secure compensation.

According to reports in the Argus, Shelagh Leach was knocked down by a driver who mounted the pavement outside a garage in Hastings.

The 83-year-old is seeking up to £150,000 from motorist Paul Barnard, who drove on without stopping, leaving her by the roadside.

As a result of the impact, Ms Leach sustained two broken legs and required emergency surgery.

For nearly two months after the incident, she had to remain in Conquest Hospital, which is run by East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust.

In a high court writ, Ms Leach accuses Mr Barnard of negligence, saying he drove too fast as he approached the petrol station and he failed to stop, slow down or swerve to avoid colliding with her.

The document adds that, whereas the pensioner used to be active and a keen walker, she has been left traumatised and immobilised by her injuries.

A mother has been successful in her bid to secure compensation after her twin sons were left brain damaged as a result of complications during their birth.

Lynne Steele initiated legal action after British Army doctor Ian Anderson refused to examine her.

Rather than turning up to assess her in person, he attempted to diagnose her over the phone when she went into labour 30 weeks into her pregnancy.

The MoD - which has an annual budget in excess of £2 billion - had until recently denied liability in the case.

However, it has now admitted that Dr Anderson was negligent in his care of Ms Steele.

As a result, her sons, Shane and Dean, will receive a combined total of more than £3.5 million.

Ms Steele said: "I knew we had won our case but this is the final hurdle in a 13-year marathon during which I have been through every emotion," the Blackpool Gazette reports.

She added: "It has been an incredible journey to discover the truth."

A woman who suffered injuries when she fell down a hole is to receive a payout of £25,000.

According to reports in the Ellesmere Port Pioneer, Tania Foster was permanently damaged after she fell into an uncovered drain during a workshop.

The event, which was attended by around 200 agricultural workers, was organised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

She was among a group of fellow delegates and was involved in a conversation when the incident occurred.

Ms Foster is still on pain killers and needs to wear an ankle brace 24 hours a day as a result of the damage she suffered to her lower leg.

The mother of two works on a farm in Capenhurst, which is situated near Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.

Commenting on the case, HSE principal inspector Tanya Stewart said: "[The HSE] has settled this matter out of court on the agreement that we do not accept liability."

A cyclist who sustained serious injuries to his spine in an accident four years ago is to receive compensation.

In July 2005, Graham Gregory was riding home from a friend's house when he was hit by a car from behind, the Swindon Advertiser reports.

The 48-year-old was left tetraplegic as a result of the impact.

He was treated for his injuries at the Great Western Hospital before being moved to the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which is run by Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

He was intensive care for 32 days and remained in the medical centre for two years.

Mr Gregory was subsequently transferred to Salisbury Hospital's spinal unit, where he stayed until February last year.

In a recent development, the high court ruled that he should receive substantial compensation for his injuries.

The case was settled with the Motor Insurers Bureau on the basis of 90 per cent liability.

A schoolboy from Lincoln is to receive compensation after he was left with brain damage.

Rees Ross banged heads with a fellow pupil while playing football at school, the Lincolnshire Echo reports.

He complained of a headache when he got home after the game, which took place in December 2004.

His mother, Lisa Ross, phoned NHS Direct and was advised to give him painkillers.

However, his condition deteriorated and his mother called an out-of-hours service which was run by West Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, before it was amalgamated into NHS Lincolnshire.

She was told to give him more painkillers and to ring back if his condition worsened.

Rees subsequently began to vomit, but his mother was told by another doctor at the out-of-hours service to let him rest.

He started to fit in the middle of the night and was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital, which was founded over 200 years ago.

Emergency surgery was needed to remove a clot on his brain so he was transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital, where he remained for six weeks.

The amount he will receive in compensation is to be decided once the costs of his long-term care and potential loss of wages have been calculated.

A woman who was seriously injured when she was trampled by cows has secured a payout.

Shirley McKaskie was walking her dog across fields in Cumbria - a county in north-west of England near to the Scottish border - when the incident occurred.

The 54-year-old was heading to a pub in the village of Greystoke when she was approached by farmer John Cameron's herd.

After being tossed into the air by the animals, she suffered brain damage and is now confined to a wheelchair.

According to her legal representative, she has also been left with cognitive and behavioural changes and is unable to work.

The cows were said to have reacted to the dog being in the field.

Ms McKaskie was found unconscious by Mr Cameron, who took her to his farmhouse.

She was subsequently rushed to hospital for brain surgery.

During a recent hearing, she was awarded an interim payment of £250,000, plus £100,000 in costs.
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A man who was involved in a motorbike crash has been awarded compensation of £1 million.

Bijan Fouladgar sustained brain damage as a result of the incident, the London Evening Standard reports.

The 38-year-old was described as an ambitious and sporty "work hard, play hard" entrepreneur prior to his accident.

During a court hearing, it was claimed that he had been transformed into a shadow of his former self as a result of the crash, experiencing difficulty concentrating, processing information and controlling his temper.

He was riding his motorbike in 2001 when he collided with a van which was performing a U-turn.

Mr Fouladgar subsequently took legal action against the employers of the van driver, the Southover Food Company - which was founded in 1989.

The firm's insurers admitted liability and recently agreed to a £1 million settlement.

Responding to the development, Mr Fouladgar said: "I'm very pleased it's over. This has been eight years of my life tied up in this. Now I can finally try to get on with living my life."

A woman who ended up losing her leg after what should have been a routine knee operation went wrong has been successful in her bid to secure compensation.

Karen Flory has been left seriously disabled and continues to suffer from pain, the East Anglian Daily Times reports.

At the age of 37, she went into Ipswich Hospital - which is run by the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust - to have inflamed tissue on her right knee removed.

However, problems managing blood circulation during the procedure forced doctors to amputate her leg above the knee.

As well as suffering pain in the affected leg, she now suffers from phantom limb pains.
Ipswich Hospital admitted liability in the case and the terms of a settlement have now been agreed upon.

Ms Flory will get more than £1 million.

Commenting on her ordeal, she said: "Money can never compensate for the loss of a limb, but it can make it easier to overcome the practical issues.

"The size of the settlement reflects the fact that I am not yet 40 and the whole of the rest of my life has been irrevocably changed by the amputation."

A schoolboy who suffered serious injuries when he was run over by a bus is in line to secure compensation.

Luke Murtagh ran to catch the vehicle, which had just left the bus stop, and knocked on a window hoping the driver would stop. However, he carried on driving.

The bottom of Luke's trousers became caught in the vehicle, causing him to be dragged under its wheels.

As a result of the incident, the 15-year-old sustained damage to his spine, hip and leg and a section of his skin was ripped off.

He subsequently had to undergo a number of operations, including plastic surgery.

In addition, he experienced frequent nightmares and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The firm responsible for the operating the buses in the area was Arriva London South.

Although it admitted liability in the case, the company - which describes itself as one of London's largest bus operators - disputed the level of compensation.

This is set to be determined at a future hearing.

A man who injured his back in a workplace fall is to receive more than £37,000 in compensation.

Kevin Hartley was lifting a heavy piece of equipment when the incident occurred.

The fall caused him to sustain a slipped disc in his back and damage to his sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body and runs from the back of the pelvis down both legs and ends in the feet.

Mr Hartley was performing his role at Network Rail Infrastructure in Sheffield when the incident occurred.

The 63-year-old had worked as a track welder for 34 years prior to the fall but found his injuries so severe that he had to take early retirement.

He stated: "I worked in that job for over thirty years but I will never be able to return to it. On some days I find just sitting still difficult so I can't even do a desk job."

A man who claims he suffers from hearing loss as a result of his work is seeking compensation.

Peter Conroy used to operate as a textile operative and says he was exposed to dangerously high levels of noise in his role, the Bradford Telegraph Argus reports.

The 67-year-old was diagnosed as having industrial deafness when he visited a doctor on his wife's recommendation.

He is now seeking his former colleagues in a bid to lodge a mass damages claim. Mr Conroy used to work for Robin Wools and N Walton and Co, both of which have gone out of business.

He said: "Robin Wools was a particularly a big employer in Bradford. There were hundreds of us who worked there and a very large number of us had to work in a noisy environment."

There must be people living in the area who suffered hearing problems as a result, he added.

Industrial deafness affects thousands of people in the UK and is defined as a deterioration of a person's hearing over a prolonged period of time as a result of their working environment.

A soldier who sustained serious injuries during a training exercise is to secure millions in compensation.

Charles Radclyffe was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards and was in Germany when the accident occurred, the Telegraph reports.

He was told to jump 65 feet into a reservoir in order to prove his bravery, with a senior officer saying it would be "bad form" if he did not complete the manoeuvre.

Mr Radclyffe made the jump into the Okerstausee reservoir in the Harz nature reserve, which is located in Lower Saxony.

The first time went without incident, however, on a second jump he was left paraplegic after hitting the water with his knees bent.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) denied liability in the case, arguing that he had been off duty at the time and that he had been the "voluntary author of his own misfortune".

However, it was recently ruled that he had been under "considerable pressure" to make the jump.

The MoD was therefore ordered to pay out advanced damages of £200,000 and the same amount in legal costs.

According to the Telegraph, this will only be a "fraction" of the final damages bill.