AN INTERESTING CASE

NOT EXACTLY A BARREL OF FUN OR LAUGHS

ABD Personal Injury Team is always on the case. Rachel Fereday P I solicitor who is based at the Devizes office was approached by Mr X to help. This case was initially a personal injury case for an accident at work…

It all started when Mr X was working at a bingo club in Manchester. The club ran out of beer, so they arranged for one to be delivered from one of their other clubs in the area which arrived by taxi. Mr X was asked to help his manager lift the full beer barrel out of the taxi which was awkward and extremely heavy. In doing that, together with the act of subsequently needing to tilt the barrel to move it into an upright position, he injured his back.

His back strain then developed into an epidural abscess which required surgery. Mr X was left with ongoing back pain, loss of feeling in his feet, needing to use a wheelchair the majority of the time and essentially needing “round the clock” care from his wife. He was only 29 years of age at the time of the accident.

The claim against the employer was initially fiercely defended but Rachel kept the pressure on and eventually the employer conceded primary liability.

During the course of obtaining expert evidence on Mr X’s injuries, the issue of clinical negligence was raised. The expert opinion was that on admission to hospital with the clinical signs that he had, Mr X should have been referred to a specialist unit within 12 hours but instead that was not done for 5 days. Expert opinion was that if treatment had been instituted sooner his long term outcome would have been better.

The Hospital NHS Trust was therefore joined to the court proceedings.

There were several experts involved in the case who agreed that Mr X should have been referred to the specialist unit within at most one day and that had treatment been instigated sooner his long term outcome would have been better.

A care report was obtained to assess Mr X’s position and what aids and equipment could be purchased to improve his quality of life. A pain management report was also obtained to see if treatment could improve his levels of pain and/or help him cope with it.

A date was set for a 3 day Trial to start but, shortly before this, a meeting took place between the legal representatives for the 3 parties in which a settlement was negotiated at £410,000 for Mr X. This settlement was paid partly by the employer and partly by the NHS Trust.

The compensation agreed included the cost of future care that Mr X needed for the rest of his life, equipment and aids (e.g. purchase and maintenance of wheelchairs etc), loss of earnings and the cost of pain management to help him cope with his ongoing pain.

So, thanks to Rachel’s persistent efforts, this compensation can now be used to improve the quality of Mr X’s life.

A CHRISTMAS CHEER!

Last Friday night was a really great evening...

ABD staff from all the offices (Devizes, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Marlborough) got together and enjoyed their annual “Christmas bash” which took place in the Bear Hotel, Devizes this year.

It was a great eve, everybody was in excellent festive form, and the party didn’t finish until the early hours of the following morning!  Just as well it was on a Friday night!

87 people sat down to eat. Andrew Douglas and Dave Turley handed out raffle prizes just before coffee and mince pies arrived. Then it was back to the bar, catching up on news, and disco!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

ABD WIN!

BEST SMALL CONVEYANCING FIRM OF THE YEAR GOLD AWARD.

“The Estate Agency of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times and The Times is the longest running and most sought after awards in the residential property industry. Now, to recognise the vital part that conveyancers play in the process of moving, there is a new award: The Conveyancer of the Year Award.”  www.estateagencyevents

This prestigious event was held at the Lancaster London Hotel, London on Thursday 8 December 2011, and was attended by over 600 people. It has been running for over 9 years with Zoopla.co.uk as headline sponsor this year.

ABD Partners; Tony Awdry, Andrew Douglas and Alistair Everett attended with Head of Conveyancing, Ronna Turley and her team; Halina Tomlinson, Kathryn Roker, Kellie Hinton, Lisa Sidwell, Rebecca Vassie and Sara Lovesey.

The morning began with coffee and first class seminar programmes discussing “Future of Estate Agency” as well as demonstrations showing the latest technology and innovations from many exhibitors including Rightmove.

Drinks reception with canapés followed by a “Gala Luncheon” providing the very best of fine food and wine took place early afternoon enabling everybody to settle down and listen in anticipation to The Award Categories Ceremony. This was hosted by Lucia Coward and presented by Ben Fogle.  Ben Fogle for those of you who may not know or remember captured viewers’ hearts on BBC millennium project called”Castaway”.  He has recently finished filming a Year of Adventures for BBC Worldwide and Lonely Planet to be televised in 2012.

The Venue

ABD Team had no idea that they were going to win this Award! They were there to enjoy and support the event…

“This firm demonstrated an excellent customer service ethos throughout; strong processes and imaginative problem solving were evident across the board. There were numerous proven examples of the team going above and beyond to help customers. References from agents are exemplary; the entire team works hard to foster good relationships with the agents and they enjoy joint training and social events to aid this approach. The panel were pleased with its turnaround time from sale agreed to exchange; this is helped in no small way by top-notch systems and processes; with 97% of customers saying they would re-use this firm, theirs is clearly an approach which works.”

The Team

This GOLD AWARD is a very clear indication of the hard work and excellent service ABD provides and also to be recognised as the BEST.

For more information follow this link: http://www.estateagencyoftheyear.com/specialist_winners/small_conveyancer/

ABD SEMINARS OFF TO A SUCCESSFUL START

PLANNING FOR LONG TERM CARE CREATES POPULAR INTEREST

ABD Probate Team joined forces recently with Chilvester Independent Investment Consultants and Financial Planners to present 2 seminars. The first was based at Marsh Farm Hotel, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, and the second was based at The Corn Exchange, Devizes, Wiltshire. The purpose of the seminars was to discuss the topics surrounding Planning for Long Term Care in later life.

ABD Probate Team and Chilvester Financial get into full swing with the Seminar.

The seminars were extremely well attended and created much interest.

As a result of their success, we will be holding these seminars again in the New Year for those people that were not able to attend our previous dates.

If you are interested and would like to attend, please contact us on 01380 722311 or email keshid@awdrys.co.uk for more information.

ABD ENTERTAINS…

Saturday, November 5th 2011 was the date, the weather was grey but not raining and all the guests had arrived.

ABD Partners Tony Awdry, Alistair Everett, Andrew Douglas, Roger Chadwick and also Commercial Solicitor Richard Bowater, Conveyancing Manager Ronna Turley and Trainee Solicitor Joe Phelan had invited their guests to watch the Avivia Premiership Rugby Match at The Recreation Ground in Bath.

Calm before the storm – The Recreation Ground, Bath.

THE BIG MATCH

Bath v Harlequins. It was a sell out! Bath against top of the table Harlequins! There were no tickets left to watch this match! 12,200 people attended! It was going to be a cracking game!

Lunch was served in The Illustrious Suite as the guests chatted and waited in anticipation for the game to start…

As a special treat before the match, and with the help of the corporate team at Bath Rugby, ABD had a Bath team shirt signed by all the players. Also, in an exclusive raffle, ABD guests raised £155 for the shirt which was presented to the winner – Strakers Estate Agents Managing Director Antony Bulley by Bath and England prop David Flatman, the monies going to the Bath Community Foundation.

Bite to eat before the Match!

KICK OFF!

Harlequins made a bit of a slow start as Bath began the game on the front foot attacking Harlequins defence in every which way. As time went on though Harlequins eventually assumed control of the contest as they gained the upper-hand at the scrum, line out and breakdown.

At half time the score was 7 – 13 to Harlequins.

As the game resumed with the start of the second half, Bath Rugby were unable to halt Quins’ winning run. There were “fireworks” 10 minutes into the second half as a result of “fisty cuffs” following which “Quins” were awarded a penalty.

THE FINAL SCORE

The final score was Bath Rugby 13 – 26 Harlequins.

“Harlequins maintained their perfect start to the Aviva Premiership season as tries from Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown helped them to a 26-13 win at Bath”

A fantastic and exiting game enjoyed by all ended with tea and cake back in the Illustrious Suite. Then it was home for fireworks and bonfire night!

From left to right Alistair Everett, Roger Chadwick, David Flatman (Flats), Antony Bulley (Strakers Estate Agents) Tony Awdry and Andrew Douglas

HAPPY TO LIVE IN DEVIZES!

ABD PARTNER ROGER CHADWICK PASSES COMMENT...

Devizes Community Area Partnership (DCAP) is a body which links local government with local businesses, the community and statutory bodies such as the police and NHS.

One of the Partnerships aims is to create a Strategic Area Plan for the Devizes Community Area and to set out what services and facilities will be needed over the next 15 years.  For example how many schools, roads, hospitals, sports facilities etc will be required.

LIVING IN THE DEVIZES AREA

In order to gauge people’s needs, DCAP sent out a questionnaire to 11,500 households in the Devizes Community Area and to their surprise received 3,000 responses back!

Because the response was such a positive one, not only did  the local press write an article about it but also ITV wanted to do a short interview.

ABD Partner, Roger Chadwick who is Chairman of DCAP agreed to the interview which took place at ABD’s Devizes offices recently.

ROGERS THOUGHTS?

 

To see the interview and hear what Roger had to say about Devizes;

Follow the link

http://www.itv.com/westcountry-east/happy-to-live-in-devizes56925/

For more information about Devizes Community Area Partnership (DCAP)

Follow the link

www.dcap.org.uk

WILL PLANNING – ONLINE ASSETS.

“Pass on your digital footprint in a will, urge lawyers”.                                   (The Times, October 12 2011).

ABD is to start actively encouraging their clients when making a Will to decide on what they would like to do with their web based assets and “online life”.

In the same way that clients keep details of their investments, bank accounts, savings and assets etc, ABD will start to advise and recommend that clients keep details of their “online life and assets” to incorporate into their wills.

Many social networks, email providers and online account companies depending on their terms and conditions either grant differing levels of access, or refuse to disclose usernames/passwords/logins etc altogether to the next of kin, making it extremely difficult for them to access, deal with and close the deceased accounts.

ENTRUSTING YOUR PASSWORDS.

Clients are now starting to realise that by leaving details of their passwords/usernames/logins etc of their online accounts in their wills, it makes it much easier for their next of kin to have access and to deal with these accounts after death in the necessary way with help and advice from their solicitor.

For more information or making a will please contact either;-

- Catherine Cole (Calne Office). 
  catherine.cole@awdrys.co.uk

- Lynnette Hilliard (Royal Wootton Bassett Office).
  lynnette.hilliard@awdrys.co.uk  

- David Kelshall (Marlborough Office).  
  david.kelshall@awdrys.co.uk

- Naomi Hill (Devizes Office).
   naomi.hill@awdrys.co.uk

MAKING A WILL ONLINE?

Start making a Will with our simple online form.    click here