Boy injured in car crash as baby secures multi-million pound payout
27 Jul 2010
Compensation of more than GBP 3 million has been secured for a boy
who was left severely brain damaged after being involved in a
road
traffic accident as a baby.
Ben Eeles, now 12, had been a passenger in a car with his mother in
Norfolk in September 1998 when the vehicle was hit by a coach that
had gone out of control.
The child sustained head injuries from which he never recovered and
he now needs full-time care to cover his motor, speech and
concentration problems, according to the Gazette News.
Legal action was taken against Cobham Hire Services, the owners of
the vehicle which caused the crash, for failing to protect other
road-users from harm.
The company admitted liability and in court this week a
compensation settlement was agreed for Ben.
He is to receive a lump sum and index-linked payments for the rest
of his life - which should amount to more than GBP 3.25 million -
although exact amounts have not been revealed.
The judge involved in the case praised the dedication of Ben's
mother, who gave up a well-paid job to look after her son when it
became apparent that his injuries were of the "utmost
severity".
Victims of road accidents may be able to seek
personal injury
compensation if they are not at fault and should seek the
advice of a specialist solicitor within three years if they wish to
make a claim.
If it is successful, the money will be recovered from the insurer
of the driver who was deemed to be responsible.
