Hero Denied Personal Injury Claim

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A man who stepped in to prevent a potentially devastating accident involving a runaway postal van which weighed in at over two tonnes has been told by Royal Mail that he has no grounds for a personal injury claim.

Roger Moore, a 63 year old artist, stopped the van from charging across an extremely busy main road after its driver forgot to apply the handbrake. Mr Moore spotted the van rolling backwards heading straight for a busy junction and proceeded to run alongside it and open the drivers door. He was unable to reach the handbrake, but did manage to stop the van before it reached the main road.

During his heroic rescue of the van, Mr Moore sustained a cracked rib and painful injuries to his knee, however, Royal Mail’s lawyers have blamed him for being reckless and putting his own life in danger. Following the daring rescue, Mr Moore contacted Royal Mail by post,enquiring as to whether he would be entitled to a reward or some kind of compensation for his actions and subsequent injuries. However, Royal Mail responded with a letter to his personal injury solicitors stating that he had unnecessarily put his own life at risk attempting to stop a heavy van travelling at high speed.

In the letter to his solicitors, the Royal Mail said: “We cannot be held responsible for your client’s injuries in choosing to stop a moving van without considering the personal consequences.” They added, somewhat sarcastically: “We assume your client is of average intelligence and as such he must have known that what he was attempting to do was fraught with great danger, with the real possibility of personal injury.”

The letter continued, condemning Mr Moore for his actions and stating that there was no case for any reward or compensation, despite the fact that Mr Moore most probably prevented a serious accident which could have sparked many more serious and expensive claims for Royal Mail. “With that real threat apparent he should never have attempted to do what he did and while his actions may have been brave, they should not have been at the expense of his own safety,” wrote the Royal Mail. “Had your client not attempted to stop the van it would have continued without posing any danger or threat to your client. That being the case, no injury could have been sustained. “Of course it is commendable what your client did; however, Royal Mail would never ask a member of the public to risk their own safety in the manner above, and, while unfortunate, your client does appear to be the author of his own misfortune.

We trust common sense will prevail here and you will simply advise in due course that your client’s claim is withdrawn.” In light of his actions which undoubtedly prevented further chaos, Mr Moore was surprised and angry at the response from the Royal Mail, saying: “There were children and elderly people around — what was I supposed to do, let the kids get killed? I opened the door, but the motion made me fall over, which shoved my knees into my chest, cracked my rib and grazed my knees.” “The driver came down — he was a young guy — and said, ‘Did I forget to put the hand brake on?’. The chap said he was very sorry.

I was in such agony. I went to the doctor as soon as I could get an appointment and he agreed I had a cracked rib. I’ve still got scars on my knees. I like to walk but it hurts. When I saw the letter I just laughed. I didn’t believe it.” Royal Mail have apologised for the letter and promised to look into it. A spokesman said: “We would like to apologise to Mr Moore for the handling of this case and we are discussing the matter with him and his legal representatives.”

[Postie558]

You couldn't make it up! They should be thanking him!