Man Receives Head Injury Compensation after Helicopter Accident

A man, who is confined to a wheelchair after part of his skull was torn away when the blades of a toy helicopter hit him, has been awarded HK 8.8 million dollars (720,000 Pounds) in head injury compensation by the High Court in Hong Kong.

Law Kwok-Wah (48) was injured close to the Hong Kong Science Park in January 2008 when his long-time friend Chan Man-Kin lost control of the model helicopter he was flying. The helicopter, which weighs 6 kilograms and is capable of speeds up to 90Km/hour, fell close to where Law was watching and he was struck by one of the 1.5 metre helicopter blades.

Law was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery and, due to the helicopter accident, he is now semi-paralysed, confined to a wheelchair and suffers from frequent spasms. Law brought a skull injury compensation claim against his friend, as he has had to give up his job as a minibus driver and his family now relies on his wife´s income for financial support.

The High Court in Hong Kong heard testimony from Chan that he lost control of the helicopter because he had been distracted. The Court charged him with causing a personal injury and ordered him to pay Law head injury compensation amounting to HK 8.8 million dollars.