£62k awarded to 42 year old man hit by a falling object

A fireman who was injured while attending a deliberately set fire was awarded £62,000 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). During the incident, a bath fell through the ceiling above and struck the claimant, causing significant injuries to his shoulder, arm, and neck, as well as severe headaches. The claimant developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the accident.

Despite receiving treatment, including cortisone injections, physiotherapy, and traction, his physical symptoms did not significantly improve. He was unable to return to his job as a fireman, and his psychological symptoms, while expected to improve, were still severe. The accident also affected his hobbies, such as volleyball and football, and impacted his ability to perform household tasks and disrupted his sleep.

At the hearing, which took place five years after the accident, the claimant’s condition was deemed chronic. He received £16,000 for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, as well as additional compensation for past and future loss of earnings. A specific award was given for the loss of his employment as a fireman, a job he deeply regretted having to leave.

See also:

How do I make a work accident claim?

Personal injury solicitors in Liverpool

Disclaimer

Case studies are for informational purposes only and aim to help prospective claimants understand the injury claim process. They are based on cases handled by Quittance panel solicitors or sourced from public court records.

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.