Posts Tagged ‘compensation’
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Having lodged an appeal, the notice against the couple was subsequently withdrawn.
Liverpool, was for many years, a major player in the British Empire with the wealth and importance to match. Historically the urbanisation and expansion of Liverpool was largely brought about by the city’s status as a major port.
By the 18th century, trade from the West Indies, Ireland and mainland Europe coupled with close links with the Atlantic Slave Trade furthered the economic expansion of Liverpool. By the early 19th century, 40% of the world’s trade passed through Liverpool’s docks, contributing to Liverpool’s rise as a major city. For periods during the 19th century the wealth of Liverpool exceeded that of London itself.
With such commercial prowess, it was critical for Liverpool to harbour a legal profession that could broker deals and seal contracts with some of the major players in the world markets. For more than a century, Liverpool lawyers have been closely involved with businesses, local politics and controversies surrounding the city.
Relics from this era still haunt the city. These include the so called ‘gentleman’s clubs’ where a lawyer would flatter their commercial clients into choosing them for their next big deal. Client care in those days was far from a letter detailing costs and complaints procedures, more like a cigar and a Dry Martini over a game of cards.
Back in the 19th Century it was very dangerous for any lawyer to be asked to court in the afternoon! Some of these establishments still remain in the city and its suburbs, such as the Athenaeum (Church Alley), the Lyceum (Bold Street) and the Racquet Club (James Street).
For a legal profession of this magnitude to thrive, it was important that it had a common unity where members of the profession could gather, network and share ideas, aside from in the numerous boozers around the city. On 25th August 1827, a few Liverpool lawyers gathered in the Clarendon Buildings, on the corner of North John Street to discuss a proposed Law Library for Liverpool.
At that time the cost for membership fees in 1827 was £15. It had long been felt that Liverpool needed a Law Library due to the high prices of law books. According to the Annual Report of 1829, there were 52 members. Most of their names are now forgotten but some survived until very recently in the names of Liverpool firms.
The first President was Joshua Lace whose name is still reflected, in the firm of Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP. Samuel Brabner’s name survives in Brabners Chaffe Street LLP. The name of his contemporary founding member, John Holden was reflected until 2001 in the firm of Brabner Holden.
In 1834, the society’s name was changed from Liverpool Law Library Society to the Liverpool Law Society. By the time the Annual Report of 1893 was printed, there were 348 members and the President was James Alsop whose name survived until recently in the name of the national firm Dibb Lupton Alsop, now known as DLA. Today, the Liverpool Law Society boasts over 2000 members who practice in the locality, which makes it one of the biggest Law Societies in England and Wales.
The success of the Law Society founded the way for an even bigger project, which was to begin in early 1828. The Society itself was a major force in the creation of Liverpool’s first University. Of course, with the Law Society as a major stakeholder in the project it is no surprise that the University of Liverpool’s pièce de résistance was its School of Law.
The establishment of Liverpool’s first major university is not the only success story associated with Liverpool law Society. The Society was active in promoting the idea of the County Court system throughout the country.
Furthermore, in the 20th Century the Society was at the forefront of the promotion of free legal service throughout the city. During the great wars a ‘poor mans’ lawyers scheme was supported by the Society, which provided free legal advice to those that could not afford to pay.
In 1973 the society opened the Vauxhall Law Centre- the first of its kind- which catered for those living in deprived areas of the city. Today, the Citizens Advise Bureau has taken the responsibility of providing free legal advice within the city. Liverpool boasts one of the best CAB systems in the UK, with the city centre office dealing with some 35,000 cases each year.
The above account of Liverpool’s history is merely a sweeping look at the last century of activity within the legal sector. Admittedly, it has barely scratched the surface of what is a long and somewhat controversial history surrounding this area.
It is surprising how much of the city’s law and politics was determined by the arguments which revolved around the Conservative and Liberal Party which battled for dominance right through the 18 and 1900’s, although this discussion is better saved for another time. For now it is enough to remember that Liverpool is a city, which has a history of first class lawyers. We can be proud to be part of this tradition and ensure that the same is said in a century’s time…unless of course we have all succumbed to Tesco Law by this point!
For those who refer a friend with a personal injury claim, Knowsley based solicitors Duncan Gibbins now offer £300 for an accepted claim for compensation. If you’re looking for a specialist personal injury lawyer, visit Duncan Gibbins Solicitors website for more information on how you could claim the compensation you are entitled to.
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.