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Alton Towers owner faces multimillion-pound legal bill over Smiler crash Alton Towers owner faces multimillion-pound legal bill over Smiler crash
(about 1 hour later)
The owner of Alton Towers is facing a soaring multimillion-pound legal bill after admitting responsibility for the rollercoaster crash that left four people with serious injuries.The owner of Alton Towers is facing a soaring multimillion-pound legal bill after admitting responsibility for the rollercoaster crash that left four people with serious injuries.
Merlin Entertainments is understood to be preparing for payouts of at least seven figures to help the 16 victims of last week’s crash on the Smiler ride.Merlin Entertainments is understood to be preparing for payouts of at least seven figures to help the 16 victims of last week’s crash on the Smiler ride.
The most seriously injured victims – including teenager Leah Washington who has had her left leg amputated above the knee – could expect to receive at least £1m in damages, senior legal sources told the Guardian. The most seriously injured victims – including 17-year-old Leah Washington who has had her left leg amputated above the knee – could expect to receive at least £1m in damages, senior legal sources told the Guardian.
“You are definitely talking about multimillion-pound claims for people who can’t walk any more. People who have continuing difficulties, each case will be a multimillion-pound claim potentially,” said Daniel Marks, a partner at the London law firm Harbottle & Lewis.“You are definitely talking about multimillion-pound claims for people who can’t walk any more. People who have continuing difficulties, each case will be a multimillion-pound claim potentially,” said Daniel Marks, a partner at the London law firm Harbottle & Lewis.
Washington, 17, who underwent surgery at the weekend, also fractured her hand when the carriage she was in ploughed into another empty carriage at speed last Tuesday. Her boyfriend, Joe Pugh, 18, suffered two broken knees and extensive hand injuries. Washington, who underwent surgery at the weekend, also fractured her hand when the carriage she was in ploughed into another empty carriage last Tuesday. Her boyfriend, Joe Pugh, 18, suffered two broken knees and extensive hand injuries.
Fellow passengers Vicky Balch, 20, and Daniel Thorpe, 27, also remain seriously injured, described as in “serious but stable” condition.Fellow passengers Vicky Balch, 20, and Daniel Thorpe, 27, also remain seriously injured, described as in “serious but stable” condition.
As a Health & Safety Executive investigation into the cause of the collision continues, lawyers for the victims are due to meet Merlin’s insurers this week after the theme park operator admitted “full responsibility” for the accident. As a Health & Safety Executive investigation into the cause of the collision continues, lawyers representing the victims are due to meet Merlin’s insurers this week after the theme park operator admitted “full responsibility” for the accident.
Marks, who specialises in personal injury law, said the most seriously injured Alton Towers victims may be entitled to significant sums in compensation for loss of earnings, future care and psychiatric damage.Marks, who specialises in personal injury law, said the most seriously injured Alton Towers victims may be entitled to significant sums in compensation for loss of earnings, future care and psychiatric damage.
It took emergency services over four hours to rescue some of the Smiler’s most seriously injured passengers, who were stuck 20ft in the air at a 45-degree angle.It took emergency services over four hours to rescue some of the Smiler’s most seriously injured passengers, who were stuck 20ft in the air at a 45-degree angle.
“Merlin’s insurers will have to set aside very significant amounts,” Marks said. “The injuries might have been aggravated by how long it took to free them. To get to the seven-figure sum it’s about earnings it’s about the loss of earnings and the cost of care.” “Merlin’s insurers will have to set aside very significant amounts,” Marks said. “The injuries might have been aggravated by how long it took to free them. To get to the seven-figure sum, it’s about the loss of earnings and the cost of care.”
Tristan Hallam, a personal injury lawyer with the firm Slater and Gordon, said: “Now is a time when those involved may begin looking at how they are going to meet the needs and costs they will likely face in the months ahead such as changes to their home or rehabilitation.Tristan Hallam, a personal injury lawyer with the firm Slater and Gordon, said: “Now is a time when those involved may begin looking at how they are going to meet the needs and costs they will likely face in the months ahead such as changes to their home or rehabilitation.
“At this stage contact should be made, ideally via solicitors by those who have been injured and their family members, with the insurers for Alton Towers. This is vitally important so that insurers can assist in the recovery process and to work in conjunction with the treatment already being received. Insurers will be carrying out an in-depth inquiry of the accident and will no doubt be liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.“At this stage contact should be made, ideally via solicitors by those who have been injured and their family members, with the insurers for Alton Towers. This is vitally important so that insurers can assist in the recovery process and to work in conjunction with the treatment already being received. Insurers will be carrying out an in-depth inquiry of the accident and will no doubt be liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.
“In the meantime, the insurers should assist in identifying the immediate needs of those who were injured and their families and not just from the perspective of the physical injuries but also having regard to the psychiatric injuries given the terrifying circumstances of the accident. ““In the meantime, the insurers should assist in identifying the immediate needs of those who were injured and their families and not just from the perspective of the physical injuries but also having regard to the psychiatric injuries given the terrifying circumstances of the accident. “
At the weekend, Merlin sent hand-delivered letters to each of the 16 victims, accepting full responsibility for the accident and vowing to pay them compensation.At the weekend, Merlin sent hand-delivered letters to each of the 16 victims, accepting full responsibility for the accident and vowing to pay them compensation.
It has agreed to deal “swiftly and sensitively” with their personal injury claims and is using the specialist rehabilitation firm Health and Case Management Ltd to offer support to the crash victims.It has agreed to deal “swiftly and sensitively” with their personal injury claims and is using the specialist rehabilitation firm Health and Case Management Ltd to offer support to the crash victims.
Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, said on Monday: “We are deeply saddened by the news about Leah and all our thoughts are with her and her family. We cannot undo the events of last week but everyone in the company and at Alton Towers is determined to do all we can to provide appropriate support to those who were injured and their families.”Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments, said on Monday: “We are deeply saddened by the news about Leah and all our thoughts are with her and her family. We cannot undo the events of last week but everyone in the company and at Alton Towers is determined to do all we can to provide appropriate support to those who were injured and their families.”