28. Learned Judge further referred to Mehmet v. Perry 1978 ACJ 112 (QBD, England), wherein the husband had to look after five children aged 14, 11, 7, 6 and 3 years respectively. The two youngest children suffered from a serious hereditary blood disease requiring medication and frequent visits to the hospital. Consequently, the husband had to give up his employment after his wife's death and devoted his full time to care for the family. Between September, 1973 when his wife was killed and the trial that was conducted in October, 1976, his net average loss of earnings were £ 1,500 a year. His future net loss would be at the rate of £ 2,000 a year. It was held by Brain Neill, QC (sitting as a deputy Judge) that, in view of the medical evidence concerning the health of the children his giving up of his job was proper and that damages should be assessed not at the cost of employing a housekeeper but by reference to the Plaintiff's loss of wages, since the loss of wages represented the cost of providing the services of a full time housekeeper in substitution for his wife. In addition, the children were entitled, on the basis of Regan v. Williamson 1977 ACJ 331 (QBD, England), to get £ 1,500 as part of their damages, a sum of £ 1,000 for the loss of 'personal attention' to them by a 'mother' which is distinct from her services as a housekeeper but, that sum must be kept within modest limits as the Plaintiff was at home all the time. The Plaintiff as a husband was also held to be entitled to some damages for his loss of the 'personal care and attention of the wife' but that sum should be quite small to avoid any overlap with the damages awarded for housekeeping services. The last two children require to support for 12 years, as per medical advice. A multiplier of 8 was adopted for the family as a unit and 12 for the Plaintiff and a sum of £ 19,000 was arrived at.
