Court grants BNDSm (USD3.6m) as damages for teenagers

Brunei: The highest personal injury award in Brunei's history was awarded to a 16-year-old Nepalese boy
In March 2008, the boy received an award of USD3.6m due to a car accident that happened on 30 December 2000 in which he suffered severe head injuries, multiple fractures, disfigurement, spastic hemiparesis and weakness of the upper and lower limbs.

It was considered that the boy is doomed to an unfulfilling life of depression, joylessness and apathy. The boy now walks with a limp and a clumsy gait

One of the biggest portion of the award deals with the boy's loss of future earnings. In this regard, it was found that the boy would be residing in the United Kingdom for the rest of his life and was given an award based on such a scenario.

The Judge awarded BND3.4m (USD2.4m) for the plaintiff's potential earnings, BND509,471 (USD365,000) for the suffered injuries, BND714,910 (USD514,332) for costs of future care and BND127,534 (USD91,369) for damages that had occurred.

Source: Agence France Press - English Wire, March 27, 2008
Asian Casualty Report 10th Edition June 2008 – Gen Re