Michael Lombard recently settled a claim for compensation for a 46 year old client who suffered severe life threatening injuries when his motorbike was hit by a car which ran a red light in the northern suburbs. He sustained a closed head injury, fractures to his hip, shoulder, upper and lower right leg and right ankle. He sustained fractures to eleven ribs, his neck at the C6/7 level and his lower back at the L2/L5 level. He also sustained a ruptured spleen and an intestinal tear. He lost one kidney and has greatly reduced function in the other. He had a number of surgeries including a fusion of his spine. He has been left with significant ugly scarring.
He has serious permanent physical impairment as a result of his multiple orthopaedic injuries. He also has been left with severe loss of his mental capacity. His one remaining kidney is expected to completely fail in the near future and he will require a kidney transplant. Luckily, his wife has offered him a kidney and initial tests indicate that she is a compatible donor.
Despite his incapacity he returned to his former employer undertaking light duties, which he continues to perform, despite the physical and mental exhaustion which he consequently suffers.
His court hearing was due to take place in March 2011. Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers represented him at a pre-trial mediation and settled his claim on very favourable terms. The TAC admitted that the other driver was responsible. The main issue for Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers was to maximise his compensation for his future financial loss, given the fact that there is a considerable chance that he will not be able to continue to work in the future following his kidney transplant, his worsening orthopaedic condition and the fact that his chances of obtaining other employment outside of his current workplace are practically nil. Following protracted negotiations with the TAC, Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers succeeded in obtaining substantial damages for his both his pain and suffering and his future economic loss.