An 83-year-old bus crash victim has been awarded more than $55,700 in damages and costs by the High Court after suffering serious injuries in a Raiwaqa Buses accident.
In a ruling delivered on May 28, Justice Chaitanya Lakshman awarded Kanchan Lal $3,710.36 in special damages to cover transport expenses, medical reports, a police report, an LTA vehicle search and medication costs.
The court also awarded $50,000 in general damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenities of life and the cost of domestic care following the accident.
In addition, Raiwaqa Buses Ltd was ordered to pay $2,000 in legal costs.
The combined total of the damages and costs awarded amounts to $55,710.36, excluding interest.
Justice Lakshman further ordered the defendant to pay interest on the damages, including 6 per cent interest on the general damages from the date the writ was filed to the date of trial, 3 per cent interest from the date of the accident to the date of trial, and 4 per cent interest from the date of judgment until the full amount is paid.
Mr Lal, who was 71 at the time of the 2014 accident, suffered extensive scalp lacerations and a fractured left fibula when the bus crashed. Evidence before the court showed he now walks with a limp and requires the use of a forearm crutch for support.
The judgment follows an earlier finding that Raiwaqa Buses was liable for the accident, with the present case dealing solely with the assessment of damages.
