L. (R.) v. Minister for Health and Children [2001] IEHC 64; [2001] 1 IR 744 (6th April, 2001)

L. (R.) v. Minister for Health and Children [2001] IEHC 64; [2001] 1 IR 744 (6th April, 2001)

Where a claimant suffers exclusion from an occupation due to both a tortious act and a subsequent tortious accident, both are concurrent wrongdoers under section 11 of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, and each is liable for the entire loss; tortious supervening events are not vicissitudes of life for damages assessment.

Citation
[2001] IEHC 64
Parties
Plaintiff: Applicant; Defendants: Respondents
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Procedural Posture
Personal Injury/damages / Final Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for Applicant
Legal Topics
Assessment of Damages, Concurrent Wrongdoers, Vicissitudes Principle, Causation, Loss of Earnings

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 5 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 4
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Applicant

Plaintiff

Respondents

Defendants

Procedural Posture

Personal Injury/damages / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether supervening tortious and non-tortious events affect assessment of damages for loss of earnings
  2. 2 Application of vicissitudes principle to tortious and non-tortious supervening events
  3. 3 Liability for loss of earnings after supervening accident

Ratio Decidendi

Where a claimant suffers exclusion from an occupation due to both a tortious act and a subsequent tortious accident, both are concurrent wrongdoers under section 11 of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, and each is liable for the entire loss; tortious supervening events are not vicissitudes of life for damages assessment.

Court Disposition

Judgment for Applicant

Orders

  • General damages for pain and suffering: £300,000
  • Future loss of earnings: £125,000