Lightfoot v Go-Ahead Group Plc

Lightfoot v Go-Ahead Group Plc

The defendant's employee was seriously negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout and being distracted by reading a timetable, which deprived him of the opportunity to avoid the collision. The claimant was also significantly negligent in stepping into the road while drunk to flag down the bus. Apportionment of liability is 60% to the defendant and 40% to the claimant.

Parties
Claimant: Stephen Lightfoot; Defendant: Go-Ahead Group PLC
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 February 2011
Procedural Posture
Personal Injury / Judgment After Split Trial on Liability, Causation, and Contributory Negligence
Outcome
Liability apportioned; damages recoverable by claimant reduced by 40% for contributory negligence.
Legal Topics
Negligence, Contributory Negligence, Road Traffic Accident
Tort Personal Injury Negligence Contributory Negligence Road Traffic Accident

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Parties

Stephen Lightfoot

Claimant

Go-Ahead Group PLC

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Personal Injury / Judgment After Split Trial on Liability, Causation, and Contributory Negligence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant was negligent in causing the claimant's injuries
  2. 2 Whether the claimant was contributorily negligent
  3. 3 Apportionment of liability between claimant and defendant

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant's employee was seriously negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout and being distracted by reading a timetable, which deprived him of the opportunity to avoid the collision. The claimant was also significantly negligent in stepping into the road while drunk to flag down the bus. Apportionment of liability is 60% to the defendant and 40% to the claimant.

Court Disposition

Liability apportioned; damages recoverable by claimant reduced by 40% for contributory negligence.

Orders

  • Damages to be reduced by 40% pursuant to the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945