£75,000 for couple injured in car crash while on holiday from China
Arthur and Kim are from Shanghai in China and were holidaying in London in December 2005. They were involved in a road traffic accident as back seat passengers in a taxi.
The accident happened when the taxi driver pulled out of a minor road at a junction and collided with another car before ploughing into the wall of a building.
Arthur fractured and dislocated a number of his fingers. He also suffered psychologically, developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). His wife, Kim, was also injured in the crash. She suffered a fracture to one of the bones in her face (right orbital floor) and damage to a nerve in her face. Her face was also cut and she suffered post concussion syndrome. She also developed PTSD, depression and anxiety.
Arthur and Kim instructed Mark Bowman to pursue a claim against the taxi driver. Mark obtained evidence from a number of medical experts in Hong Kong, including an orthopaedic expert, a psychiatrist, an ophthalmologist and an oral and maxillofacial expert.
The taxi driver admitted negligence but denied that he had caused Arthur and Kim's injuries. His defence also alleged that Arthur and Kim had contributed to their injuries as they weren’t wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
Following negotiations between the parties Arthur and Kim accepted £15,000 and £60,000 compensation respectively. The case was funded on a “no win, no fee” basis.
After the case Mark said:
"This was a particularly tricky case given the clients' location and the language barrier that existed. It was not possible to find suitable medical experts in China so our clients were seen by experts in Hong Kong.
"Lawyers for the taxi driver had originally requested that Arthur and Kim fly to the UK to be examined by their own experts. But after extensive discussions, they agreed the expert evidence that we had obtained and entered into settlement discussions. The end result was excellent given the complexities faced."
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For further information about road traffic accident claims, personal injury claims, please call Mark Bowman on 03304606794 or email mark.bowman@fieldfisher.com.
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