Former tennis coach wins GBP4m
17 Jan 2012
A former professional tennis coach and keen cyclist has been
awarded GBP4 million following a
head injury claim.
Patrice Gougam was injured during a hit and run which caused a
near-fatal blow to the head and left him in a coma for three
weeks.
He was in hospital for a total of 21 months following the incident
and continues to need round the clock care as the head injury left
him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
In 2009, Mr Gougam was cycling between Barnet and Potter's Bar when
he was hit by a Land Rover, the driver of which failed to stop at
the scene.
However, Michael Elliot was later found to have been driving the
vehicle and in October 2010 was jailed for eight months for
dangerous driving.
He was also handed a three-year driving ban and nine points on his
driving licence.
Mr Gougam's wife, Virginia, said that the payout meant the couple
could move on with their lives safe in the knowledge that he would
receive the best care possible in the future.
Speaking on behalf of Mrs Gougam, the couple's lawyer said she
urged motorists to take more care and look out for cyclists.
"She dearly wishes other motorists to be more aware and patient of
cyclists on London's busy roads, so as to reduce the increasing
number of tragic stories covering both fatalities and life-changing
injuries sustained by cyclists."
Recently a schoolboy from Suffolk was awarded GBP7,500 after
sustaining a head injury when he fell from a climbing frame onto
concrete blocks while he was playing at school.
