A mother brought a claim against the Road Accident Fund on behalf of her minor son after he was struck by an unidentified motor vehicle while he was a pedestrian.
The collision left the child with multiple severe and life-changing injuries. These included a traumatic brain injury, psychological and psychiatric complications, contusions to both lungs, a fractured pelvis and right-sided hemiplegia, which affects movement on the right side of the body.
He also required a tracheostomy—a surgically created opening in the front of the neck that provides direct access to the windpipe to assist with breathing.
Given the extent of his injuries and their long-term impact, the claim required careful assessment by the appropriate medical and medico-legal experts. Their evidence was essential in establishing how the injuries would affect the child’s health, development, independence and ability to earn an income in the future.
de Broglio Attorneys pursued the claim on behalf of the child and his mother, ensuring that the full consequences of his injuries were properly presented and considered.
The matter was ultimately determined by the Pretoria High Court. The Court awarded the child R7,357,112 in compensation for his future loss of earnings.