COMPENSATION AWARD

Grey River Argus, 18 December 1940, Page 4

COMPENSATION AWARD

For Child’s Death BIG CUT BY HOUSE OF LORDS [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 17, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 16 At what price is a person’s future happiness assessable? Seven Law Lords applied themselves to this question when a problem as to how damages should be awarded for the loss of the expectation of hf e came, for the first time, before the Hou-” of Lords. The seven Law Lords have unanimously decided to reduce to two hundred pounds sterling Mr Justice Asquith’s award of twelve hundred pounds in respect of a boy aged two and a half years, who was killed in a car accident. / The Lords decided as follows:— Firstly, th c thing to be valued is not the prospect of length of days, but the prospect of a predominant!.? happy life. Secondly: The damages should be smaller, and not greater, in the case of a very young child, because of uncertainty of its future prevents an accurate estimate. . Thirdly; Because social position, or prospects of worldly possessions are greater, this is not a reason for bigger damages, because happiness oepends neither on wealth nor status. Fourthly: Very moderate damages should always be awarded, because happiness is incapable of accurate measurement in money.