June 2007 - Record compensation

A record £9.5 million compensation payout has been awarded to a teenager left disabled after a serious road accident.

Waseem Sarwar was a passenger in a car being driven by a relative, Kamran Ali, when he braked suddenly to avoid a cat running into the road. Mr Ali, who was travelling at 76 mph in a 30 mph zone was uninsured to drive the car.

Mr Sarwar was thrown through the car’s rear window and sustained fractures to his skull and spine. He spent several months in a coma. During this time he also contracted the MRSA ‘superbug’, and now requires round-the-clock care.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which provides compensation for those injured by negligent uninsured and untraced drivers, initially disputed Mr Sarwar’s claim as he had not been wearing a seatbelt. However, it subsequently agreed to pay compensation on the basis of 75 per cent liability.

The full compensation amount was assessed at £9,544,628 – thought to be the largest award ever made in a UK court in a personal injury case. After the 25 per cent reduction, the total award is £7,158,471.

Tanveer Jaleel, senior partner at TJL Solicitors comments: “If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, compensation may be available through the MIB. This is very poorly publicised, leaving many people who find themselves in such a situation under the impression that they have no right of redress.”