|
Not good publicity for the trade, but what do you think?
HIS TAXI KILLED OUR SON - NOW HE HAS SUED US OR HIS TRAUMA
A COUPLE last night told of their despair after being sued by a cabbie who knocked down and killed their teenage son.
Rhyl taxi-driver Malcolm Wright wants compensation for the trauma he suffered in the smash.
It happened in the village of Dyserth, in the early hours of December 23, 2000.
A-grade student Richard Jones, 18, died of head injuries after being hit by the cab as he returned home from a Christmas party.
His heartbroken parents, George and Megan, both 54, are still struggling to come to terms with their tragic loss. Yesterday they said they were devastated by the cash claim.
They said his trauma did not compare with the suffering and loss they experienced and the pain they were still suffering because of his legal challenge.
Speaking at the weekend Malcolm Wright, of Edgebaston Road, said the claim had been settled.
The 41-We have been through every parents' worst nightmare and now we are being sued because of it year-old said he was "happy with the outcome".
The grieving Joneses said they knew nothing about his claims.
Dad George, who farms at Bryn Cnewyllyn Farm, outside Dyserth, last night hit out at Britain's growing compensation culture.
"We have not been allowed to grieve because of all this. We are being taken to court by the driver who knocked down our son.
"This is really eating me up inside.
I am scared of coming downstairs in the morning. I don't know what is going to come through the letter box next. "
Mum Megan, a primary school teacher, said she could not sleep at nights.
Fighting back tears she added: "The way I feel, I don't want him to have a penny for the accident in which Richard died. "
The legal letters arriving at their home were, she said, "like a knife through the heart".
A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing how Richard stepped out into the road before the crash which claimed his life. No proceedings were taken against Mr Wright.
George said he was being sued under the public liability aspect of his George Joneshouse contents insurance because Richard lived at home.
"We have been through every parents' worst nightmare and now we are being sued because of it, " he added.
A hearing was due to be heard in Chester County Court on Friday.
Megan, who passes the crash scene each day on her way to work, said the loss of Richard affected the whole family very badly.
"Life will never be the same again, " she said.
"But to think that he wants to have money for the accident in which Richard was killed. I am sorry but I don't want him to have a penny.
"Everyone I mention it to is absolutely shocked that such a thing should happen. " Megan slammed the growth in TV adverts where lawyers offer to take on cases on a no win, no fee basis.
"I know we have a suing culture these days. It happens in all walks of life, in schools and in hospitals. But this. . . . I just can't believe it, " she said.
The couple have two other children.
John Lloyd, 23, is studying mechanical engineering at Bath University while 20-year-old Gwenno is an architecture student at Manchester University.
"They have both said that they want to come with us to the county court hearing. It is the only way that they can cope with it, " Megan added. The devastated mum said she found meetings of Compassionate Friends, in Rhyl, a great help.
There, she met other parents who had lost children in similar circumstances.
"But no one has been sued after losing a loved one.
"No one has gone through what we are now going through. Society must be changing, " she said.
Mr Wright said Friday's court case would not now be going ahead although he declined to give details of the "settlement".
"It's all been settled. I am happy with the outcome and I want to forget about it, " he said.
Asked how he felt about the Jones family he said: "I do feel it is tough on them. . . but at the end of the day I've suffered as well.
"I am not going to say any more. I don't want to talk about it, " he added.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
