The former solicitor and mother of four has undergone extensive, distressing and debilitating treatment since being diagnosed with liver cancer. Lawyers acting on her behalf claimed that none of it would have been necessary were it not for the negligence of a Harley Street-based consultant radiologist.

The doctor had performed a CT scan four years before her diagnosis but had failed to report a mass on her liver. In pursuing her claim for more than £630,000 in damages, the woman’s lawyers claimed that the tumour was not at that stage malignant and that prompt surgery would probably have provided a complete cure.

The doctor argued that the woman already had malignant cancer at the time of the CT scan and that earlier surgery would have made little or no difference to the outcome. There was, however, expert evidence on the woman’s side that it was close to inconceivable that, had that been the case, she would have still been alive when diagnosed.

Following a preliminary hearing, the Court found it probable that the woman would ultimately succeed in winning substantial damages. On that basis, she was awarded the interim payment which she urgently requires. The full amount of her compensation award will be calculated at a further hearing.

Whilst securing compensation in cases of medical negligence can be a lengthy process, this case illustrates that victims should not be deterred from pursuing a worthwhile claim as the courts have the power to make interim awards to cover a person’s immediate medical and care needs.

The 54-year-old man was working on a factory production line when the accident happened. There were height restrictions in that part of the factory and he hit his head on a steel conveyor belt that was only five feet above the ground.

He was not wearing any form of head protection at the time, even though all employees who worked on the production line were meant to be provided with hard hats. Nor had his employer given him any training on how to do his job safely.

The blow to his head caused him to suffer from chronic tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears which often results from exposure to loud noise but can stem from a head or neck injury. He also began having severe migraines.

After four months’ sickness absence, he attempted to return to work, even though he continued to suffer as a result of his injury. On one occasion, his symptoms were so bad that he had to be rushed to hospital as he was unable to swallow on account of the pain. The symptoms persist and he still has difficulty sleeping.

After taking legal advice, he commenced a personal injury claim against his employer on the ground that the accident could have been prevented had it fulfilled its duty to provide suitable health and safety training and adequate protective headgear. An out-of-court settlement was reached to compensate him for his injury and resultant loss of earnings.

The man died, aged 70, from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs often associated with asbestos exposure. A strong and active man, who loved his job and was anxious to remain in the workplace for as long as possible, he endured prolonged suffering before the disease took his life.

His former employer swiftly admitted liability after lawyers launched proceedings on his widow’s behalf. The High Court found that, but for the cancer, he would probably have enjoyed another 16 years of life. It awarded his widow £90,000 for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity he suffered during his illness.

She was also entitled to compensation for, amongst other things, his lost earnings and to reflect the value of services he would have provided for his family had he survived. The final amount of the award has yet to be calculated but it is certain to run well into six figures.

The man had been born with learning and mobility difficulties but had managed to hold down a job as a janitor at an RAF base. He was taken to hospital after suffering severe headaches but a CT scan was not performed before he was discharged. He collapsed the following day and was again transported by ambulance to the same hospital where the haemorrhage was diagnosed.

His sight was badly affected by the permanent brain damage he suffered and his existing level of disability was worsened. He had always been looked after by his mother but his dependence upon her has now greatly increased.

After legal proceedings were commenced, the NHS trust which ran the hospital agreed to a settlement of his case. In approving the compromise, the High Court applauded the extraordinary fortitude of the man’s 87-year-old mother.

Whilst victims of sexual abuse may derive some comfort from seeing perpetrators imprisoned, there is a general lack of awareness that they are often also entitled to an award of compensation if the abuser is successfully prosecuted.

In one case, a man who suffered years of abuse at the hands of a Cub Scout leader 30 or more years ago has secured £48,000 in damages from the Scout Association.

The abuse began very soon after the man joined the cubs at the age of eight and continued until he was 15. He was extensively groomed and preyed on by the Cub Scout leader, a serial paedophile who was subsequently jailed for 10 years for 25 sexual offences against children.

The Scout Association accepted that it was legally liable for the leader’s misdeeds but disputed the amount of compensation payable to the man, now aged in his 40s.

The High Court found that not all of the difficulties that he has suffered in his later life could be blamed on the abuse. However, in making the award for his pain, suffering and loss of amenity, it recognised that he was deserving of sympathy.

Matilda Bruchard suffered months of pain before the teeth that were causing her problems were taken out. She was five years old when she first went for treatment at the practice. By the time she was nine, she already had some tooth decay and was given a filling in a back molar.

Although she attended for regular checkups, she developed sore gums and stabbing tooth pain that necessitated a return visit to the surgery. At this stage, her tooth was sealed and the dentist prescribed a toothpaste suitable for patients with sensitive teeth.

Still the pain continued. In April 2014, Matilda, by then aged 14, finally underwent an X-ray, which revealed extensive decay in the offending tooth. As she was also experiencing pain in one of her back teeth on the other side of her mouth, she requested a further X-ray, but was told that it could wait.

By the time Matilda sought the opinion of another dentist, she had no option but to have two of her back teeth removed as they could not be saved.

Not only did she experience unnecessary pain and suffering but the whole experience has left Matilda feeling self-conscious and lacking in confidence. She has also developed a fear of going to the dentist.

Unhappy at the treatment experienced by their daughter, Matilda’s family sought legal advice and proceeded with a personal injury claim. Although the dentist concerned denied any liability, a compensation settlement was agreed and this has now been ratified by Manchester County Court.

The man, aged in his 30s, was one of 34 passengers on the coach, the driver of which had been drinking. The accident happened after the vehicle broke down for the third time on a section of the motorway which had no hard shoulder. The driver of the lorry and one of the coach passengers died in the collision and the coach driver was subsequently jailed for six years after he admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The man suffered permanently disabling injuries and was rendered incapable of managing his own affairs. Lawyers acting on his behalf sued the coach driver’s insurers before negotiating the settlement of his case. He plans to return to his native India where it is hoped that the payout will enable him to live as normal a life as possible.

The High Court approved the settlement as being in the man’s best interests.