£12 million pound Public liability claim?

[Steve Clark]

It’s not easy to find on Google as most stories are associated with the initial compensation award, but the ruling against the skipper was actually overturned on appeal :

Orkney boat firm welcomes decision on fatal dive award - BBC News

Judges overturned a decision to award £290,000 compensation to the son of a diver who died.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mikem]

"As we plan for 2025 and beyond, the BMC face rising premium costs for our Combined Liability Insurance cover due to a second catastrophic claim (November 2023) in recent years. While we managed to absorb most of these costs in 2024, continuing to do so is not sustainable without making significant changes to member services." From:

CEO Update | September 2024 - The British Mountaineering Council

Regarding membership fee adjustments for 2025, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) are asking for feedback ahead of the Board meeting on the 18th September 2024.

thebmc.co.uk

After the meeting they confirmed: "£376,369 Increase in the cost of BMC Combined Liability premium (£4.57 per member)"

British Mountaineering Council 2025 membership fee update - The British Mountaineering Council

www.thebmc.co.uk

 

[mikem]

The previous post detailed their finances:
Third Party Liability / Per member cost
Increased Premium / -- (average)

2023 -- £588,323 -- £7.08

2024 -- £817,814 -- £9.85

2025 - £1,035,638 - £12.48

CEO Update August 2024 - The British Mountaineering Council

thebmc.co.uk

 

[mikem]

Assuming it was that case, the accident happened 7 years ago, but only made local news:

Inspirational medical student who lost use of his legs in climbing accident

MEDICAL student Ross Smith lost the use of his legs in a horrifying climbing accident just two months ago.

www.theboltonnews.co.uk

Another report written 2 months later (which was copied into the Irish Sun):

Man left paralysed after falling 30ft from indoor climbing wall

Ross, 20, says he's still determined to finish his studies and become a doctor.

www.metro.co.uk

 

[mikem]

How it was decided that the family could sue dive boat. This was in 2018, whilst he died in 2012, award was 2021 and overturned 2022:

Insights | Hill Dickinson

Keep up to date through our thought leadership insights on a range of legal issues facing organisations across the UK.

www.hilldickinson.com

Bit more info on what actually happened:

Warner -v- Scapa Flow Charters Court Case: Successfully overturned

Three senior judges in the Court of Session, Scotland have overruled the Opinion of Lord Sandison issued on 3 September 2021.

xray-mag.com

 

[mikem]

Back to the BMC, that incident was the first claim, as their annual report 2023 says:

"In November 2023, two members of the BMC were unfortunately involved in an accident which led to a major claim against the BMC 3rd party liability insurance with huge implications for the premium that the BMC pays in both 2024 and beyond."

https://services.thebmc.co.uk/media/files/BMC%2520Annual%2520Report%25202023_3_0(2).pdf

Followed by March 2024 announcement:

"At the end of November 2023, the BMC was advised that its combined liability insurance premiums were increasing due to large claim following a serious injury of a club member while climbing outdoors. There will be a £264K increase in 2024, from £591k (2023) to £855k (2024).

This accident, occurring not long after a 'catastrophic' indoor climbing claim in 2018, 'has placed significant pressure on the BMC's policy claims ratio and the level of risk associated with the policy.'

This will include an additional increase in 2025 of circa £140k.

The BMC's liability cover limit remains £15m with three tiers of cover provided as follows:
£0-5m Hiscox
£5-10m RSA
£10-15m JRP"

NEWS: BMC Members Open Forum March - Report

The second BMC Members Open Forum webinar took place on 20 March. Recently-appointed BMC CEO Paul Ratcliffe, President Andy Syme and Chair Roger Murray shared updates on staff changes, new and...

www.ukhillwalking.com

 

[mikem]

Nothing listed on their website seems to relate - they also have a Facebook page showing what the reports say:

BMC Incidents & Near-Miss Reporting

Incidents & Near-Miss Reporting. Improve climbing, hill walking and mountaineering safety in the UK by identifying practices that reduce risk to hill walkers, climbers and mountaineers, arising from real reports on near misses or accidents.

www.incidents.thebmc.co.uk

Around the same time Mountaineering Scotland announced:

NEWS: New Survey Examines Mountain Accidents

A survey has been launched which it is hoped will give organisations interested in safety in the hills more insight into the causes of accidents. The information could be used to help better inform...

www.ukclimbing.com