£27,368 IN DAMAGES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 14

£27,368 IN DAMAGES

Jury Award In Hamilton

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON. November 14. After a retirement of thr°e hoursi a Hamilton Supreme Court jury tonight awarded the largest sum in general damages ever granted to an accident victim in New Zealand. Brian Neilson Malvor, single, a linesman, of Hamilton, was awarded £24.000 general damages and £3368 special damages against Brown. McCheane and Company, electrical contractors. of Hamilton.

Mclvor, who was represented by Mr N. I. Smith, claimed £38.368. from Brown, McCheane and Company (Mr A. L. Tompkins), first defendants, and the To Awamutu Electric Power Board (Messrs K. L. Sandford and R. L. Swarbrick). Mr Justice Turner presided.

The case, which lasted three days, concerned an accident at Te Awamutu on December 15, 1955. While working on a power pole Mclvor, although wearing a safety belt, fell to the ground and suffered severe spinal injuries and complete paralysis. The jury found the contracting company solely responsible.

A little more than a year ago a Hamilton jury awarded a plaintiff more than £19.000 damages when he lost both arms as a result ol an accident on a power pole when he came into contact with live wires. At that time it was the largest sum in general damages awarded in New Zealand.