Man receives compensation after car accident
A man has been awarded the largest amount of personal injury compensation in Canada's court history, after suffering from severe brain injuries as a result of a car accident.
The man, aged 20, had been driving his Honda Civic when he was struck by a delivery truck in 2000.
As a result of the collision, despite being physically able, he now needs the aid of a caregiver as he is mentally unable to work or live on his own as a result of severe brain injury.
His mother filed a compensation claim against the driver of the truck on her son's behalf.
The truck driver was found to be 61 per cent liable for the accident as he was driving in a careless manner.
The young man was judged to be 39 per cent at fault for the accident due to jumping a red light.
The ruling stated that "It is clear from the record that both drivers committed major blunders that led directly to the disastrous accident and the respondent's injuries - the respondent ran a red light, and truck driver did not keep a proper lookout. They collided as a result of both their errors. Both were indisputably at fault."
The young man, who is now 28, was awarded $17 million for future care, suffering and loss of previous and future income.
Updated on 24/04/2009