Steven Ford QC and Peter Ellis win claim by estate agent seriously injured during cycle race

Strutt & Parker LLP will have to pay damages to a former employee, Simon Reynolds, who suffered serious brain injuries during a cycle race in 2008.  The race had been organised at a country park in Kent as part of an office outing to reward the employees for the previous year’s performance.

In a judgment handed down on 18 July 2011, HHJ Oliver-Jones QC sitting as a High Court judge held that the partners responsible for organising the event were in breach of their duty of care.

The breaches of duty identified included failing to perform an adequate risk assessment, and failing to communicate the need to wear cycle helmets effectively to the racers.  Agreed expert cycle helmet and medical evidence had concluded that Mr Reynolds would have avoided his brain injuries if he had worn a cycle helmet, due to his low speed when colliding with a fellow cyclist and falling onto the road surface.