Crash girl to sue legal team

A road accident victim who lost out on a compensation payout has won the right to sue her legal team.

Annona James from Middlesbrough, was severely injured when she was knocked down by a car on Teesside in 1990, aged eight.

She suffered brain damage after slipping into a coma for five days and was left permanently disabled.

Appeal Court judges ruled the driver who hit her had not been at fault.

However, Annona's father Mervyne, revealed her legal team had been urged to accept a £400,000 offer paid into the court by the driver's insurance company.

The legal team continued with the original claim for £1m, but the judges' ruling meant Annona received nothing.

The Official Solicitor later called in Sheffield firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate the collapsed claim and Annona has now been told she has grounds for action against her legal team.

Mr James, 48, said: "Annona should have had this money when she was younger.

"I just want to know she will be looked after, and the compensation would help when she sets up home on her own."

'Sad conclusion'

Annona, 20, said: "If I had the money, I would be able to get my own house and I would be able to look after myself."

Richard Lindley, of Leeds-based Zermansky and Partners, denied the firm had been negligent in any way.

In February 2002, the High Court backed a judge's previous decision that the driver involved in the accident had not been negligent.

A deputy High Court judge sitting in Middlesbrough dismissed her original claim in March 2001, saying driver Stuart Fairley was not at fault, even though he had not seen her.

The case was taken to the Court of Appeal where two judges reached the "sad conclusion" that Annona stepped in front of the car without giving the driver time to avoid her.

After dismissing her appeal, the judges heard that the Mr Fairley's insurers had paid £400,000 into court to settle the claim, but this would now be returned to them.

Lord Justice Ward, in his ruling, said like the High Court judge he felt "sympathetic to Annona and her family".