RE RANGER

May 19, 1998
P Weitzman QC
D Hollis QC
CICB, London
General Damages: £20000.00
Total Award: £109,838.00

Injury to right eye, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following assault, including significant depressive symptoms.

Male, aged 46 at the time of the incident in June 1988 and 56 at the date of the hearing. Worked as a bus driver for 25 years prior to the incident. In an unprovoked attack by a passenger, he was hit over the right eye, his head was knocked back and struck the side of the cab. He suffered considerable bruising to the eye, double and blurred vision, giddiness, headaches, sharp cramp-like pains on the left side of neck as well as poor concentration and forgetfulness. He visited his GP and was prescribed painkillers and anti-depressants.

He was diagnosed as suffering from depression and assessed as being 35% disabled by the Department of Social Security. The applicant was unable to return to work and was retired on the grounds of ill health on September 29, 1989. 10 years after the event he is unable to resume any pre-incident activities including driving, watching television or reading for more than 1/2 hour at a time, DIY, cricket, dancing etc.
The claimant had never been unemployed and took great pride and pleasure in his previous occupation where he had an excellent work record. As a result of his frustration at being denied his job he attempted suicide on 2 occasions. At the hearing the Board accepted he was within the JSB Guidelines classification of "Moderately Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". The award for future losses reflected that the claimant would not work again before retirement age.

General damages: £20000. Special Damages (Past Losses): £59,836. Future losses: £30000. Total award: £109,838. 00

Claimant's solicitor: Colum J Smith, McMillan Williams.
[Ex rel. Michael J Mylonas-Widdall, Barrister]