Car crash news
20/03/2009

Multi-million pound High Court payout for car accident claim

A car accident claim has been settled after the High Court awarded £6.3 million in compensation to a former trainee carpenter who suffered brain injuries in a crash.

Just over a decade ago, the Kent teenager was injured when a car he was travelling in smashed into a wall near one of the county's fire stations.

Now 27 years old, the man suffered complications after the road traffic accident. He had been discharged from hospital and able to return to college and work when his condition markedly deteriorated.

He was struck by depression and anxiety as well as suffering nightmares, especially about the accident. After several years of psychiatric episodes and treatment, he had to be sectioned under mental health legislation.

After drugs treatment failed to cure him, he subsequently benefited from special brain injury rehabilitation treatment at a specialist hospital unit - two years ago, his condition greatly improved. He has since completed his carpentry apprenticeship, and learnt to drive and play the guitar. He is now looking forward to moving back to Kent and working in a sheltered environment.

The multi-million pound payout will cover future treatment costs. His father said that often, car accident and other brain injuries such as those by suffered by his son can stay misunderstood for years.