The Conrad Murray trial polarises opinion – some feel that he has been made a scapegoat and that Michael Jackson was headed for self destruction one way or another, others, Michael Jackson fans chiefly among them, talk and behave as though Dr Murray was a murderer.

Having been found guilty on the criminal standard of proof, it is almost certain that a civil negligence claim, with commensurate lower standard of proof, will succeed.

A claim has been started by Michael Jackson’s family for £64 million and it seems that Dr Murray’s insurance was not high enough to cover this amount and his insurance may not have covered anaesthesia also. The amount claimed is alleged to be the amount which Michael Jackson would have made from his planned tour.

Not only is Christmas the season of goodwill to all others, it is also the season when more family bust ups and divorces happen, and, it is also the season when accidents can happen. Yes, you guessed it, beware the Christmas tree !

In seriousness, statistics from the Royal Society for the prevention of accidents highlight that nasty accidents can happen from simple, everyday occurrences. From the list that follow, few accidents and the consequent injuries would be likely to be actionable claims for negligence, though some might argue that there should be a standard length for the needle like spines on the trees (only the most creative and bullish PI lawyer would take that claim on on a no win no fee basis). Thankfully, none of the items on the list which follows involve allegations of any kind, negligence or otherwise, against Father Christmas !

So, here are some interesting stats from the RSPA :-

• In 2007 about 1,000 people suffered injuries involving christmas trees, such as eye injuries while decorating the tree or when trying to retrieve something from it.
•  In 2008 more than 5,000 people were hospitalized due to falls while making a tree look gorgeous.
• In  2007 2 unfortunate people died due to mistakenly eating decorations they thought were edible.
• Fairy lights cause accidents and sometimes nasty injuries to approximately 350 people annually. These accidents can involve electric shocks, burns or falling accidents.

No figures published as to how many of the above accidents involved a degree of intoxication …..

Be safe and have a fantastic time this Christmas !