After being injured so severely in a car crash that she suffered debilitating paralysis, a teenager recently received a record-breaking car accident claim compensation.
Chrissie Johnson, who was injured nearly four years ago at the age of 16 in a November 2006 car collision, has spent years since the accident in and out of various care homes and hospitals as a result of her devastating injuries, which led her to file a traffic accident claim with the courts.
Chrissie suffered an extensive brain injury, which impacted both her health and her life tremendously. As a result she is nearly completely paralysed and confined to the use of a wheelchair, though she has regained the use of one of her arms through heroic rehabilitation efforts. Due to her stringent needs for everyday care, she sought personal injury compensation for her debilitating injuries.
Ms Johnson brought suit against the driver’s insurer, and London’s High Court recently decided the outcome in her favour. Initially the courts decided that she was to be paid £4 million in one lump sum, which will go towards providing a specially fitted home that will accommodate Ms Johnson’s particular needs. In addition to the large sum, the courts also ordered the insurer pay a yearly index-linked compensation payment of £300,000 in order to pay for the extensive amounts of medical care she needs as a result of the accident.
The personal injury lawyers that comprised Chrissie’s legal counsel declared that the entire value of her settlement could be in excess of £17.5 million. This high sum would be a new record in regards to the amounts that have been paid out to personal injury victims.
In related news, many insurers have been raising their premiums as of late in order to compensate for an increase in the amount of car accident claims.