Court raises payout for injured diver to BD9,400

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini diver hit while crossing a road has been awarded BD9,400 after a court found his injuries and time off work justified more than the original payout.

The man had been stepping into the road in Riffa when a driver failed to spot him and knocked him down.

He suffered a fractured skull, broken ribs, shoulder damage, limited movement in his left arm, and ongoing dizziness.

Doctors put his permanent disability at 15 per cent.

Sum

The Appeals Court raised the sum from the BD8,900 awarded earlier, ruling that the extent of the harm and the earnings lost during recovery called for a higher figure.

The insurer, which had covered the driver’s car, challenged the first ruling.

It denied responsibility, claimed the amount was too high, and argued the diver bore some blame.

The court dismissed all of that.

The diver’s lawyer, Hassan Al Amar, said his client was crossing the main road when he was struck by a car driven by an Asian national.

Injuries

A Ministry of Health report listed the injuries: a fractured bone in the forehead, a stitched head wound, bruising to the chest, cracked ribs, damage to the left knee, and a broken upper arm that left him with reduced motion and ongoing dizziness.

The driver was convicted in criminal court. The diver then brought a civil case.

The lower court awarded BD8,500 for physical harm and emotional distress, along with BD400 for the suffering caused to his young son.

It also ordered the insurer to pay BD90 for the medical panel and BD100 in legal fees.

The diver appealed, saying the award fell short.