$180k Compensation For 2012 Accident Victim

The Civil High Court has ordered Nasese Bus Company Limited and a Nasese bus driver to pay $180,800 to an unemployed man following an accident in 2012.

The plaintiff, Ratu Semesi Baro, filed the writ of a summons seeking relief against Nasese Bus Company Ltd and Shalendra Singh for the injuries caused to him due to the negligent driving of Singh, who was at the time was an employee of the bus company.

Mr Baro sought general damages, special damages in the sum of $47,000, interest on general damages at the rate of 6 per cent per annum, interest on special damages at the rate of 6 per cent per annum, costs of these proceedings, including costs on a solicitor-client basis and any other relief deemed just by the court.

On August 25, 2012, around midnight, Mr Baro was driving his vehicle along Daniva Road, Valelevu towards Yasiyasi Road.

At the same time, Singh was driving the bus along Kings Road heading towards Suva.

While Mr Baro made his entry to the Yasiyasi Road, the bus, driven by Singh, collided with the vehicle driven by Mr Baro.

After the accident, the twin cab driven by Mr Baro toppled and landed in the garden of a house nearby.

From the evidence presented at the trial by both parties, Judge Justice Lyone Seneviratne said the only reasonable conclusion the court could arrive at was that the accident was caused due to the negligent driving of Singh.

He said after taking all these factors into consideration, the court was of the view that an award of $180,000 as damages for pain and suffering would be reasonable.

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