CLAIM AGAINST CORPORATION

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22600, 4 January 1939, Page 15

CLAIM AGAINST CORPORATION

♦ , TEST CASE HEARD IN ENGLAND OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID FEVER ■ (non ou» on cobbbspo.ndknt.l LONDON, December 5. Nine days were occupied in the King’s Bench Division in the hearing of a test case brought by Mr Alfred Read, of South Croydon, and his 14-year-old daughter, Patricia Rosemary. They claimed against the Croydon Corporation for negligence, breach of statutory duty, or breach of contract and warranty. The corporation denied liability under any of these heads. Judgment has been given for the plaintiffs. The result may involve Croydon Cor - poration in an expenditure of at least £IOO,OOO, and probably much more, in litigation arising out of an outbreak of typhoid fever epidemic last year. The outcome of the actions, numbering about 200, outstanding against the Corporation, depends on the judgment. Mr Justice Stable found, that negligence had been "conclusively established,” and awarded £ 100 damages against the Corporation to Patricia Rosemary Read, who became ill during the epidemic. Mr Alfred Read agreed to out-of-pocket expenses. A stay of execution was granted for 14 days. Cost to Croydon Cr. R. H. L. Lee, chairman of the Croydon Vigilance Association, which was formed soon after the typhoid outbreak, and represents a large body of ratepayers, said: “The award of £IOO damages means that at least £20,000 will be incurred under that head, and probably much more, for in many cases there were deaths or permanent injuries, circumstances which did not apply in the test case. Then, in addition, the expenses of the plaintiffs will have to be met. “I presume that the money for this expenditure will be raised By a loan. There is a precedent for the Ministry of Health granting 'a loan in such circutnstances, but it will have to be repaid in 15 years. There are other expenses to be met as the result of the outbreak. It has been , estimated that it will cost £477,000 to put the whole of the water undertaking into proper order. That expenditure will be spread over five years, and will be met by a 60-year loan. Other expenses, such as extra nursing and hospital accommodation, amount to £25,000, which has already been paid out of surplus funds.”