Court approves compensation settlement for Firefighter's family

The High Court have approved a personal injury settlement following the death of Mr C, a Firefighter, killed on his way home from work as a result of a road accident in 2008.

Scott Rigby, Senior Associate in Stewarts Law's Personal Injury Department represented Mr C's family throughout the claim.

Mr C was a full-time Firefighter with the Essex Fire & Rescue Service and a Retained Firefighter with the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service. He was killed while riding his motorcycle on his way home, after completing a night shift, when a motor car pulled out into his path. The driver of the car was later successfully prosecuted for careless driving.

The death of Mr C, a highly popular and dedicated Firefighter, naturally left his young family and work colleagues devastated.

After being instructed by Mr C's partner, Stewarts Law quickly obtained a full admission of liability from the defendant's insurer and early interim payments. Scott Rigby then set about gathering the necessary evidence in order to value the claim. Expert evidence was required from an accountant and a care expert to quantify the financial and supportive contribution Mr C made to his family and how his death would impact upon them financially.

A settlement was then achieved by negotiation with the defendant's legal team just shortly after proceedings had been issued. Mr C's family will receive over half a million pounds in compensation.

Speaking after today's hearing, Scott Rigby said:

"The size of this award, approved by the court today, reflects the love, care and support Mr C provided to his family, while he was alive, and also the professionalism and excellence with which he carried out his duties as a Firefighter. I believe it is a fitting tribute to a man who clearly loved his family and his job".