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The law of torts

Illustration 4 – Negligence

PARIS v STEPNEY BOROUGH COUNCIL1951

Facts:

Paris was employed by the council on vehicle maintenance. It was not normal
practice to supply the workers with protective goggles when working. Paris was
already blind in one eye. Whilst working a chip of metal flew out and hit him in
his good eye rendering him completely blind.

Held:

Paris was especially vulnerable to injury and as such a higher standard of care
was owed to him than to other workers.

Loss caused by the breach

A claimant must demonstrate that he has suffered loss or damage as a
direct consequence of the breach. If he cannot prove this he will not be
entitled to damages.

The claimant must establish a causal link between the defendant’s
conduct and the damage which occurred:

 If the damage was caused by something or someone else there
will be no liability on the defendant’s part.

 If the claimant would have suffered the loss regardless of the
defendant’s conduct then he has not caused the loss.

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