Solicitor wins damages for man in Pete Doherty case
Who? Hannah Rutterford, 37, personal injury partner at East Anglia firm Ashton KCJ.
Why is she in the news? Won compensation in the High Court last week for Christopher Corder, 45, who sustained injuries to his brain and limbs after being struck by an uninsured motorist driving musician Pete Doherty’s Daimler.
In September 2009, Corder was delivering church leaflets on foot near his home in Hadleigh, Suffolk, when he was run over by Doherty’s manager, Andrew Boyd, 42, of London.
Boyd, who was uninsured, was jailed for 12 months after admitting dangerous driving, and Doherty received a year’s disqualification for allowing his car to be used by an uninsured driver.
The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB), an insurance industry-funded body that sources compensation for claims against uninsured or hit-and-run drivers, agreed an undisclosed damages settlement sufficient to fund Corder’s care for the rest of his life. MIB will now pursue Doherty and Boyd for the damages.
Thoughts on the case: ‘The family was at first reluctant to make a claim because of the so-called ‘compensation culture’, but were persuaded that it was the only way to guarantee Christopher’s lifetime care. He is in a permanent vegetative state and the whole tragedy has been distressing for everyone involved.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘When I joined the personal injury team during my training contract I realised that this was the career for me - helping people who were random victims of catastrophic disaster.’
Career high: ‘Winning the Proclaim Care Young Achiever of the Year Award 2009.’
Career low: ‘Getting spattered with mud while walking down the road with a client and having to carry on as though nothing had happened.’
