Taxi driver ordered to pay compensation to brain injured passenger
Posted: May 22, 2015
Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries Road Traffic Accidents
A taxi driver is being ordered to pay compensation to a passenger who suffered a severe brain injury after jumping out of the moving vehicle when he refused to drop him off. 27-year-old Kristopher Hicks was returning from a night out in Bath, Somerset when taxi driver Michael Young (56) believed he was planning to ‘do a runner’. Mr Young drove Mr Hicks back to the rank, but when Mr Hicks objected, he jumped out of the vehicle. The taxi was moving at 20mph.
Mr Hicks suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the incident, including severe brain injuries, which led him to develop epilepsy. He now requires around the clock care from his mother. The family of Mr Hicks took Mr Young to the High Court, where Mr Justice Edis ruled that the driver had unlawfully detained Mr Hicks in the vehicle, and he was therefore entitled to compensation.
‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’
The compensation package is yet to be agreed upon, but it is estimated to be around 50% of what the family originally requested. It is believed that Mr Hicks will receive ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’.
The family’s lawyer stated: “The latest judgement agrees that Kristopher is entitled to a settlement to provide specialist rehabilitation and care which will help maximise his progress.”
Both Mr Hicks and Mr Young have been granted permission to appeal and a further hearing will determine the amount that Mr Young is due to pay.
If you have suffered an injury in a road traffic accident, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.
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