Corbett v Barking Health Authority

(1990) 1 Med LR 433

COURT OF APPEAL

Lord Justice PURCHAS, Lord Justice Ralph GIBSON, and Lord Justice FARQUHARSON

Damages — Assessment — Fatal accident claim — Calculation of multiplier in capitalization of future damages — Mother's death shortly after dependant's birth — Dependency of 18 and multipler of 12 calculated as at date of death — Award of damages not made until dependant 11 + years old-0.5 year multiplier remaining applied to assessment of post-trial damages — Whether multiplier as at date of death should be adjusted to take account of facts known at trial — Whether trial court correct in (1) discounting altogether possibility that dependant might have proceeded to tertiary education; (2) assessing net in-hand figure for nanny/carer costs at £100 per week; (3) applying discount of 50% to damages for loss of mother's services; (4) awarding £3,000 for loss of mother's additional services; (5) disallowing interest to infant dependant because of delay in bringing case to trial