Case studies
Bell v Commissioner of Police of British Virgin Islands
Tracey Graham successfully represented this ill health retired Police Inspector who brought an action in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme court for hearing loss and Tinnitus caused as a result of negligent exposure to excessive noise from firearms whilst on secondment from England. In 2005, the Court gave judgment in the sum of £280,000 for injury and ill health retirement losses. The Defendants appealed. This year, the appeal, having been conducted by our Caribbean Agents, was successful, and the full award maintained. The claim was given the full support of the Police Federation of England & Wales.
Harrison v Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary
In a negotiated settlement, this Police Constable received £8000 for an aggravated hearing condition. He suffered with tinnitus that the Constabulary was aware of, and for which the officer had been placed on restricted office duties. The negligent testing of a fire alarm however worsened his condition to the extent that he became psychologically unwell by virtue of his condition’s constant interference in his daily life. The Constabulary paid damages after a successful allegation that a greater duty of care was owed to this officer given their previous knowledge of his vulnerable position. The Police Federation of England & Wales supported this claim.
