Art lecturer seriously injured after tree fall wins compensation
20 November 2009
Law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has recovered £300,000 in
compensation for an art lecturer at Southgate College who suffered
major injuries when he was hit by a falling tree. Mr M, a 58 year
old from Tottenham in North London, was walking in the grounds of
the college when a diseased copper beech tree fell, knocking him
unconscious.
As a result of the accident, he suffered major injuries
including a fractured skull and three fractures to his spine. He
went on to develop a stammer and a twitch and was diagnosed as
suffering from both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
depression as a result of the accident. Mr M had to retire from his
job at Southgate College for medical reasons.
Amenity Sports Management Ltd (ASM), the company employed by
Southgate College to undertake general grounds maintenance work on
the campus, admitted liability and agreed to compensate Mr
M.
Mark Bowman, the personal injury lawyer at Field Fisher Waterhouse
who acted for Mr M on this claim, said: “It was tricky to determine
whether the employer, its contractor or subcontractor was
responsible for the accident. I am happy with the outcome of the
case and glad that Mr M will now receive compensation to cover the
costs of his treatments and to make up for the loss of earnings
resulting from his early retirement.”
Mr M said: “I would like to thank Mark for all his hard work.
Throughout the claim he has worked extremely efficiently and has
always been approachable, amenable and sympathetic throughout what
has been very trying time for me.”
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