Posts Tagged ‘accident’
WORLD- renowned opera singer has launched an international battle for compensation based on a claim that his career was ruined following a terrifying accident.
David Montague-Rendall from Hampshire is claiming £250,000 for loss of earnings since the terrifying accident, which occurred when part of a two-tier set collapsed on top of him at the Copenhagen Opera House.
Having fallen about 15ft, Mr Montague-Rendall shattered his left hip and damaged both shoulders, but managed to crawl to safety, thus avoiding being crushed.
Despite making stage appearances since the accident, the 61-year-old from Brockenhurst says that bookings had dried up because opera companies were in doubt over his ability to achieve similar high standards. He held his last performance two years ago.
Mr Montague-Rendall is now suing the Danish Ministry of Culture, who are the owners of the theatre.
“During the performance two stage levels were raised to give the impression that I was underground in a tomb,” the singer said.
“On the night in question the stage above went sideways instead of up, resulting in the destruction of the set. I was knocked down at least 15 feet and tried to crawl to safety to avoid being crushed.”
Showered in debris after the accident, Mr Montague-Rendall has now instructed Irwin Mitchell, an international law firm to pursue his claim for compensation.
A spokesman for Irwin Mitchell said: “The lost earnings for an opera singer of our client’s stature are considerable. Although he’s received some recompense it’s insignificant considering the fact that his career has been ruined and he’s been forced to sell his house.
“The Danish Ministry of Culture has admitted liability but refuses to acknowledge the extent of the damage caused.
“Mr Montague-Rendall’s case will now be heard in a Danish court, where we will continue to fight for justice on behalf of our client.”
The singer was performing in the opera Aida as principal tenor in April 2005 when the accident occurred.
During the months following his fall, Mr Montague-Rendall underwent a hip replacement, a subsequent knee joint replacement and extensive shoulder surgery.
In 2008, Mr Montague-Rendall and his wife Diana were served a noise abatement notice by the New Forest District Council, after neighbours complained about the sound made by their outdoor swimming pool heating equipment.
Having lodged an appeal, the notice against the couple was subsequently withdrawn.
Imagine this; first thing in the morning when you’re on your way to work, some idiot driver ploughs into the rear of your car. So, you exchange details and decide to call your insurance company later that day.
You go home to sort through the problems the accident has caused, and before you manage to make the call to your insurer, someone is at the door? This person represents the other drivers insurance company and he carries a check made out to you, to compensate you for your injuries!!
Now, with startling regularity, we hear about this kind of thing happening after a road traffic accident has occurred. It’s certainly a very quick response and perhaps seems too good to be true. Well it is! In fact the consequences of accepting an on the spot offer could be serious indeed.
There has to be something dubious about being able to offer a person compensation for injuries prior to them having taken legal advice or establishing the extent of the injuries with a medical professional. Indeed in some cases, an offer of compensation has been made before there’s even time for the crash debris to be cleared from the road.
Under the guise of a ‘pro-active service’, these quick fix offers come down to a money saving exercise. A person accepting this kind of quick compensation will be asked to sign a document to say that the one off payment settles claims relating to the incident in full. This means whatever kind of accident aftermath unfolds, no further claims can be made.
Any professional with knowledge of personal injury will explain that the seriousness of a person’s injuries following an accident cannot be determined for some time after the accident happens, certainly hours, and sometimes days. In fact in cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other psychological problems, the symptoms often do not manifest for some considerable time after the accident.
It’s certainly true that you may not receive as much money in compensation by accepting a quick fix payment but more importantly, you run the risk of missing out on the required treatment you might need in order to recover.
It is recommended that anyone involved in a road traffic accident should seek legal advice before settling a personal injury claim. A specialist personal injury lawyer will ensure that the claimant is sufficiently compensated for their injury and any subsequent loss.
As well as offering a no win, no fee service, good personal injury solicitors will make sure independent medical advice is sought, assess the extent of the claim, assess whether any treatment is needed and that all subsequent losses are recovered.
Unfortunately, some cases have been reported where people who accepted the same day compensation have suffered symptoms which continued for months or years after the accident occurred. In these cases, the claimants will have received less compensation than they were entitled to.
In an effort to regulate insurance companies in this area, the Motor Accident Solicitors Society and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers asked its members for evidence of these offers of early settlement of claims from insurers so that the former Financial Services Authority can be made properly aware of this activity.
Until new regulations are brought in, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have unveiled a voluntary code of practice aimed at the insurance companies operating this practice.
This new ABI code states that the insurer must make clear to the claimant their right to seek independent legal advice, that insurers should not go to the claimants home but make contact by telephone, email, text message or letter.
Duncan Gibbins Solicitors are delighted to announce their new venture in becoming a Business Partner to Rice Lane Infants and Nursery School, based in Walton, Liverpool.
Duncan Gibbins Solicitors are going back into the classroom to offer the children of Rice Lane Infants and Nursery School an opportunity to develop their skills in an exciting and entrepreneurial environment.
Head teacher, Mrs Chatburn has invited local businesses to participate in the scheme, stating that ‘as a school part of our job is to prepare the children to become citizens of the future, to encourage them to think about jobs in the future, and to teach them life skills which they will require in the future. We would like the children to become familiar with business protocol and to also develop their skills for life’
Volunteers at Duncan Gibbins Solicitors in Knowsley who normally specialise in helping victims of accidents and advising clients on personal injury claims, aim to assist the teachers by providing general information on the business, answering any questions and giving short talks about the day to day requirements of running a solicitors practice in Liverpool. It is hoped that the children will benefit from direct contact with a local business and gain some of the skills necessary to prepare for a bright and fruitful career. They will coach these citizens of the future by developing their communication skills, teaching them important life skills and helping to nurture their future career interests.
Matthew Dean of Duncan Gibbins Solicitors stated that he was delighted to accept the invitation for the firm to become a Business Partner and that he would look to support the school in any way that he could.
We are sure that our new partnership will prove to be popular with both the children and volunteers at Duncan Gibbins Solicitors.