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JMK Solicitors secure significant compensation for child in personal injury claim during ‘socially distanced’ High Court hearing

By 4th August 2020March 4th, 2024Road Accident, Success Stories

JMK Director Olivia Meehan successfully concluded a children’s compensation claim after they sustained a thumb injury in an unusual accident at a fuel station. The injured party, who was under the age of 18 at the time, was standing outside her sister’s car on the driver’s side when the car rolled back, and she became trapped between the car and the steel girdle holding the fuel pump. The injury was extremely severe and resulted in a partial amputation of the thumb.

Olivia commented, “Our client was due to consult with their barrister at the High Court in March to discuss their injuries and the prospects of settlement. Due to ‘lockdown’ having been imposed this was unable to go ahead. However, rather than leave the matter until we could physically meet again, we arranged for the consultation to take place online, using video conferencing software.

Having fully assured themselves that we were ready to discuss compensation with the representatives of the insurance company, our client’s barrister commenced negotiations with their Barrister.

As a result of our client being underage, the normal procedure is that if the legal representatives can agree on what a reasonable figure for compensation is then this is recommended for formal approval by a Judge. This ensures that there is additional guarantees for the injured party, including that the money can be held in a secure bank account until they turn 18.

Happily, we were in such a position, but the Judge advised that he would have to have a physical hearing rather than conducting the hearing via remote video link. Importantly he wanted to be able to view our client’s scar for himself.”

Olivia added, “We completed the necessary new Court forms and made arrangements to have the matter dealt with in the High Court in July. As expected, due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were a number of special procedures put in place to ensure the hearing was as safe as possible. I met with the client and their parents outside the High Court and walked them through the new security and sanitisation procedures before bringing them to the socially distanced Courtroom where the Judge heard the case and we were all delighted that he approved the significant compensation amount for our client.”

“At JMK Solicitors one of our core values is that we ‘achieve the best outcome with the resources available’ and I am very grateful that our team was able to work so well within the new regime and with the co-operation of the barristers, the Judge and the Court service to ensure that our client’s claim was dealt with promptly rather than them face an indefinite delay in resolving this traumatic matter.” Concluded Olivia.

 

If you have suffered a personal injury call JMK Solicitors on 028 9032 0222 to arrange a free consultation, or fill in our free enquiry form online; we’ll give you our honest and expert opinion on what we think your claim is worth.

 Every client’s case and set of circumstances are unique and at JMK Solicitors, our personal service ensures we achieve the best outcome for you.

 


JMK Solicitors are Northern Ireland’s Number 1 Personal Injury Specialists. With a team of over 100 people including a specialist team of personal injury solicitors, we assist clients all over Northern Ireland. If you have suffered a personal injury, been in a road traffic accident, or had an accident at work, contact our team for a free consultation.

Call us today on 028 9032 0222 or email us law@jmksolicitors.com

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