Red-light crash victim awarded BD9,000

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A red-light crash that shattered a Bahraini man’s leg has ended with a BD9,000 payout after a civil court ruled the woman behind the wheel was to blame.

The High Civil Court ordered the payment.

The defendant must also cover BD298.5 in court fees, BD20 in legal costs, BD90 for medical assessments and BD10 for translation. Representing the man was lawyer Jassim Al Issa.

The crash happened on 12 July last year. The woman drove through a red light and struck the claimant’s car.

He was taken to hospital with a fractured thigh bone, a gash to the knee and bruises across his body.

A criminal court later fined her BD1,000 after finding her guilty of a string of driving offences, including causing damage to property and failing to take due care.

That ruling was not appealed and stood as final.

Medical reports placed his permanent disability at 15 per cent. The man was left with pain, a limited range of movement in the right knee and visible scarring.

The court also considered the mental strain he and his family had endured.

Claim

His original claim asked for BD5,001. This was raised to BD10,000 following the medical findings, which detailed the injury and loss of earnings.

The court awarded BD9,000, with BD8,500 covering physical harm and BD500 for emotional distress.

The claim for interest was turned down.

Judges referred to Article 228 of the Civil Code, which bars interest on civil debts. But the defendant must still foot the full bill for legal and medical costs.