Analysis of Potential Tort Claims for Clarissa and Gordon
The Criterion Outdoor Holiday Centre is based on the Yorkshire coast. The Criterion owns part of the sea shore and about 800 metres of bank of the River Eck, including the point where the mouth of the river joins the sea. The River Eck is tidal. Clarissa, who is 16, is staying at the centre and has spent the morning in the River Eck, or on its banks, canoeing and water skiing. After lunch, she returned to the Eck with her friends. By this time, the tide was going out. Clarissa swam to a buoy used by Criterion to moor its boats and canoes. Clarissa had seen people diving off the buoy the previous evening. The buoy was positioned close to the bank and over a stretch of river bed owned by Criterion. On the buoy is a notice saying Danger of Death. Keep Off. Strictly No Diving. Clarissa clambered with some difficulty onto the buoy but then lost her footing and fell head first into the river. Because of the outgoing tide, the river, at the point where she entered the water, was 50 centimetres deep. She struck her head on a rock on the riverbed and sustained a serious injury to her head which left her paralysed. When Clarissas father, Gordon, heard about what had happened, he rushed from the chalet where the family were staying, intending to arrive as quickly as possible at the scene of the accident. He took a shortcut across premises owned by a private yacht club. The path he took was commonly used as a shortcut by holidaymakers. As he was running, Gordons feet became entangled in one of the many coils ropes left by boat owners along the path and he tripped, breaking his arm. Advise Clarissa and Gordon as to any claims they might bring in Tort Law, and against whom any claims should be brought.