Fisherman wins £45k compensation

Mr Bremner's claimed his creels were lost at sea

A lobster fisherman has won £45,500 damages after he was unable to return to work following a road accident.

Donald Bremner, 42, of Castletown, Caithness, suffered whiplash injuries and sued the other driver in an action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Part of his claim was for fishing gear that was lost at sea in the aftermath of the accident in November 2003.

Lord Malcolm said the total award to Mr Bremner would also include compensation for wage loss up to March 2006.

Other aspects of the damages cover his pain and suffering.

Lawyers acting for the other driver, Kevin Bartlett, had argued that the creels were not lost or damaged in the accident itself and could not reasonably be seen to be a loss flowing directly from the collision.

Mr Bremner was hurt on the A9 Scrabster to Thurso road, in Caithness.

He was stopped at a junction at Burnside when a car driven by Mr Bartlett, of Wick, collided with the rear of his vehicle.

Liability was not an issue, but there was a dispute over the amount of damages to be paid.