British couple wins damages following accident abroad

Posted: November 30, 2015

Posted in: Accidents and Sickness Abroad Head and Brain Injuries Road Traffic Accidents Spine & Back Injuries Workplace Injuries 

A couple who had been working abroad as freelancers in Ethiopia have been awarded compensation after being involved in a serious road traffic collision. The couple had been travelling as passengers when the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with another car. Both suffered severe injuries in the accident, including head and spinal injuries, and required emergency care in Addis Ababa before being repatriated to the UK by air ambulance.

The case was taken to the High Court where both the Ethiopian and American defendants accepted the jurisdiction of the English court. Both defendants accepted liability for the accident but disputed a number of issues surrounding the applicable law and particularly the heads of loss which were available in Ethiopian law. It was alleged that Ethiopian law did not offer compensation for General Damages.

“This couple went through a horrific experience”

A settlement based on English law damages was finally agreed during a settlement meeting. The couple’s lawyer said: “This couple went through a horrific experience but have done incredibly well bearing in mind the injuries which they sustained. Thankfully, both have been able to resume working in the field which they so loved, albeit at reduced capacity.”

The couple were thankful that an agreement was reached and said that they were simply pleased that they could return to work, following serious concerns that they would be unable to.

If you have suffered an injury abroad, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.

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