(1)This section applies to an action for damages for personal injuries in which there is proved or admitted to be a chance that at some definite or indefinite time in the future the injured person will, as a result of the act or omission which gave rise to the cause of action, develop some serious disease or suffer some serious deterioration in his physical or mental condition.
(2)Subject to subsection (4), as regards any action for damages to which this section applies in which a judgment is given in the county court, provision may be made by [F1rules of court]for enabling the court, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, to award the injured person—
(a)damages assessed on the assumption that the injured person will not develop the disease or suffer the deterioration in his condition; and
(b)further damages at a future date if he develops the disease or suffers the deterioration.
(3)Any rules made by virtue of this section may include such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as the [F2Civil Procedure Rule Committee]may consider necessary or expedient.
(4)Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(a)as affecting the exercise of any power relating to costs, including any power to make [F1rules of court] relating to costs; or
(b)as prejudicing any duty of the court under any enactment or rule of law to reduce or limit the total damages which would have been recoverable apart from any such duty.
(5)In this section “personal injuries” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 51(2)(4)(a) substituted (27.4.1997) by 1997 c. 12, s. 10, Sch. 2 para. 2(2); S.I. 1997/841, art. 3.
F2Words in s. 51(3) substituted (26.4.1999) by 1997 c. 12, s. 10, Sch. 2 para. 2(3); S.I. 1999/1009, art. 3(f)