Court Awards BD 29,000 in Compensation for Traffic Accident Victim

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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The High Civil Court has awarded BD 29,000 in compensation to an Asian man who suffered a 50% permanent disability after a leg amputation resulting from a traffic accident. The compensation covers both the victim and his family.

According to the victim's lawyer, Zahraa Al Widaei, the accident occurred in September 2023 in the Tashan area. The defendant, while reversing his vehicle without due care, collided with the plaintiff, who was stopped behind another car. The impact caused the plaintiff to become trapped between two vehicles, resulting in severe injuries including fractures and a severed femoral vein. Surgical intervention necessitated the amputation of his right leg. Medical boards assessed the resulting permanent disability at 50%.

Ms Al Widaei explained that the plaintiff and his family were entitled to pursue compensation directly from the insurance company under the Compulsory Insurance Law No. 3 of 1987 (amended by Law No. 7 of 1996).

The court considered the criminal court's findings regarding the defendant's negligence, which established the basis for both criminal and civil liability. The court also accepted the medical board's assessment of the plaintiff's injuries and the causal link between the defendant's negligence and the resulting harm. The plaintiff initially sought BD 30,000 in compensation.

The court accepted the medical board's assessment of 50% permanent disability. It awarded BD 25,000 for the physical injury and a further BD 2,000 for the emotional distress suffered by the plaintiff due to the loss of his limb and the trauma of the accident. The court also awarded BD 1,000 each to the plaintiff's parents and BD 500 to his sister for their emotional distress.

The court ultimately ruled that both the defendant and the insurance company are jointly liable for the compensation. The final judgment ordered the payment of BD 27,000 to the plaintiff, along with BD 1,000 each to his parents, and BD 500 to his sister. Legal interest of 3% was also awarded, in addition to court costs and legal fees.