Postie Wins £10,000 after Rescuing Man from Smoking Car

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/news/new ... ewsid=2216" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postal worker and member of the Communication Workers Unions (CWU) has won £10,000 in compensation after rescuing a man from a smoking car and suffering psychological and physical injuries.

The postie was collecting post from a mail box when he noticed people running towards a nearby field where smoke was billowing. A car had lost control on the road and riven into the field. He called for an ambulance after he was told that the man in the car was injured.

The field was overgrown and covered in debris. Despite this the postie ran down the bank towards the car to help the man. He fell and injured his ankle and shoulder whilst running.

Despite his injuries, the postie was more concerned with helping the injured man in the car. Whilst with the man, he stayed on the phone to the emergency services the whole time.

However, the CWU member was fearful for his own life as smoke was coming from the car. He was scared that the car could burst into flames at any moment. Despite his fears, he stayed with the man to help him, as he could see that he was trapped. He knew that he could escape if the car exploded, but the injured man would not be able to.

Although, he could not get the man out of the car, he stayed with him and performed first aid until the ambulance and police arrived. The rescuer was able to leave the scene after the paramedics arrived.

Brave postie's injuries

After the incident, the rescuer had to take 4 months off work and have counselling, as he was so traumatised by the event. He also had physical injuries to his ankle and shoulder after falling in the field to get to the injured man.

The CWU on behalf of the postie, instructed Simpson Millar to carry out a claim for personal injury. After carrying out investigations, a claim was submitted to the driver of the car.

The driver’s insurers accepted liability for our client’s injuries as he was a victim of the accident, by being a rescuer. He was awarded a compensation payment of £10,000.

Secondary victims of accidents

‘Secondary victims’ are those that are within a close proximity to an accident or harm, but are not the immediate physical sufferers. Instead, many secondary victims suffer psychiatric harm due to the shock of witnessing an accident or helping others involved. For example, witnesses of loved ones harmed in criminal acts can be classed as secondary victims.

Gary Tierney, Partner at Simpson Millar solicitors, said: “This was an interesting case involving a secondary victim of a frightening car accident."

"Rescuers are classed as ‘secondary victims’ as they are deemed brave and unselfish enough to go to the help of others, even if they put themselves within the proximity of danger. "

"In this case, our client bravely went to the aid of the road traffic victim even though the car was at danger of exploding. By doing this, he suffered psychiatric injury due to the traumatic shock of the incident and fear of dying."

"His kindness and resulting injuries do not go un-noticed by the law, as rescuers are highly valued in society and in this case, our client’s actions contributed to saving a man’s life. We believe this settlement will help our client in his recovery from the psychiatric injuries suffered."

[DB1100]

Well done that man,we had that RM tv drivel this morning with the usual muppets congratulating each other on the chairmans award,but this fellow was never mentioned and IMHO more deserving than some of the halfwits featured.

[BernardBresslaw]

So he saved the guy then sued him? What a hero.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

So he saved the guy then sued him? What a hero.

He suffered PTSD because of it and the "guy" doesn't have to pay out anything he had insurance. Having seen PTSD first hand its not something I would wish on anyone.

I also find it strange that an act called heroic can be denigrated by people just because he made a legal claim afterwards. Not sure if the message of "suffer in silence" is a good one.

[DB1100]

So he saved the guy then sued him? What a hero.

It would be interesting to see what Rm said about it? did they support him or did they try and dock his wages for self inflicted injuries,if he had no support he might have been forced to sue him to be able to pay for his own treatment.

[BernardBresslaw]

Yeah perhaps a bit harsh, but c'mon 4 months off work for seeing someone trapped in a smoking car and a sprained ankle? Heaven forbid he actually witnesses something traumatic! These sorts of claims also add to yours and my premiums, so although the insurer pays out, we all are hit in the pocket.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Yeah perhaps a bit harsh, but c'mon 4 months off work for seeing someone trapped in a smoking car and a sprained ankle? Heaven forbid he actually witnesses something traumatic! These sorts of claims also add to yours and my premiums, so although the insurer pays out, we all are hit in the pocket.

As I say I have seen PTSD first hand and it can reduce the hardest of us to gibbering wrecks in a heartbeat. Also the severity of the traumatic incident bears no relation to the level of physiological trauma. I know one guy saw his best mate killed 3 feet away from him as far as I know he never suffered from PTSD, however I knew one guy went on one patrol where nothing happened - couldn't hack it and he had nightmares and the shakes- after a while the MO sent him back to the UK and he was medically discharged.

We all have limits, some have less than others, but that shouldn't be used as a measure of anything.

[DB1100]

Yeah perhaps a bit harsh, but c'mon 4 months off work for seeing someone trapped in a smoking car and a sprained ankle? Heaven forbid he actually witnesses something traumatic! These sorts of claims also add to yours and my premiums, so although the insurer pays out, we all are hit in the pocket.

It never mentions how badly injured the car driver was,also the rescuer probalay didn't have any protection from blood and other fluids and that can take up to 6 months to show up on a blood test,ok the injured party might have been able to clear that up after he had been treated but it still would have been on the rescuers mind for a few days,I was on the first firemans strike in the 70's and an incident sticks in my mind from then,we got called out to a crash and the driver was impaled on the steering wheel but the worst thing was that his feet had come off,they were still in his shoes under the pedals.Very weird seeing shoes with feet in not attached to his legs.

[spiderj]

Bresslaw-ptsd can affect anyone
What's important?
Insurance premiums or help when its needed?
Everyone has their opinion on compensation culture

Me.....I hope both of them recovered fully and have moved on from the accident.

It would have been uplifting to have heard about this via official channels bit then it could be construed as propaganda.

Anyways.....well done that man for not being selfish when it counted and for getting support when needed.

[UnhappyGremlin]

I applaud the actions of the man. Very brave. Not many would have stayed with the driver of the car, which could have exploded at any point.

As far as claiming compensation goes, if the postie has suffered as a result of their selfless actions, whether financially/physically or psychologically, then I think it's fair. If it wasn't, he would have been told no, as insurance companies won't pay if they can avoid it. It is also a small price to pay to save a life.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Sorry for bumping a very old thread but as far as the Modern Compensation Culture goes, its not that modern seemingly:

1878

A grocer from Lancashire slips whilst playing Blind Man’s Bluff – wins £15 (modern equivalent: £724!)

An innkeeper from Birmingham drinks poison after mistaking it for sleeping medicine – wins £1,000 (modern equivalent: £48,310!)

1885

A pharmacist from Dublin trips on marble steps in a Turkish bath – wins £33 (modern equivalent: £1,594)

1886

An artist from Swansea is blown over by a gale of wind – wins £30 (modern equivalent: £1,796)

1892

A merchant from Essex hurts his eye throwing rice at a wedding – wins £50 (modern equivalent: £2,994!)

1895

A merchant from Glasgow is injured as he jumps out of bed to catch his fainting wife – wins £42 (modern equivalent: £2,575!)

1900

A shipbuilder from Great Yarmouth swallows a fish bone – wins £1,000 (modern equivalent: £57,000!)

1904

A travelling salesman from Belfast bumps his head on a pole whilst watching another accident from the top of a tram – wins £7 (modern equivalent: £401!)

[Lounge Lizard]

"he was a victim of the accident, by being a rescuer"

[TrueBlueTerrier]

"he was a victim of the accident, by being a rescuer"

... and why is that funny.