Brain Injury Compensation Package Exceeds 9 Million Pounds

A girl, who sustained catastrophic head injuries after being hit by a car in 1996, has been awarded a brain injury compensation package which is expected to exceed 9 million pounds.

Leigh Ann Blinkthorn (23) of Caister, Norfolk, was just seven years of age when she was struck by a car while crossing the road in her previous home town of Filby, Norfolk, in January 1996. Leigh Ann suffered life-threatening brain injuries as a result of her accident and was in a coma for several weeks.

Almost sixteen years later, Mr Justice Popplewell at London´s High Court heard that Leigh Ann needs constant care and, due to an aggressive personality disorder triggered by her injuries, requires two carers to be in attendance twenty-four hours a day.

Mr Justice Popplewell also heard that the driver of the vehicle – Stephen Hall of Norwich, Norfolk – was found liable for causing the accident back in 2000, but due to legal negotiations and the changes in Leigh Ann´s care requirements, there had been a long delay in settling the case.

Approving the brain injury compensation settlement which sees Leigh Ann receive a lump sum of 2,875,000 pounds immediately, with annual tax-free and index-linked payments of 191,758 pounds, the judge was pleased to hear that the money will enable Leigh Ann to live at home with her parents, Colin and Joy, rather than spend any longer in residential care.

Mr and Mrs Blinkthorn´s “tireless care and dedication” were commended by the judge in his final statement, when he stated “I am pleased to be able to approve this settlement, which is fair and very much in Leigh’s best interests. I hope that this settlement will bring a little enhancement to all your lives”.