US Appeals Court Upholds $800,000 Compensation for Woman Injured in Road Accident

An appeals court in the US state of Missouri has upheld a ruling awarding $800,000 (approximately Tk 100 million) in compensation to a woman injured in a road accident. The court dismissed an appeal filed by a delivery van driver and his employer, ruling that the original compensation decision should stand.

In a ruling issued on November 10, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the compensation awarded to Amy Bolandis. The appeal had been filed by van driver Thomas Bateman and his employer, Unifirst Corporation.

According to court records, the accident occurred on December 19, 2018, on Hall Street in St. Louis. Bolandis was driving along the road when Bateman attempted to enter the street from a parking area. A large truck was blocking his view. After the truck driver signaled him to proceed, Bateman pulled onto the road without checking for oncoming traffic. His van then collided with Bolandis’ car.

Bolandis suffered a broken ankle and a displaced joint. She underwent surgery nine days after the accident. Doctors described her injuries as severe trauma resulting from a high-speed collision.

Following the trial, a jury ordered that Bolandis be awarded $800,000 in compensation.

However, Bateman and Unifirst Corporation argued that Bolandis was also driving above the speed limit at the time of the accident. The speed limit on Hall Street was 45 miles per hour, while Bolandis maintained that she was driving at 40 miles per hour.

The appeals court found that the defendants had failed to provide sufficient evidence that Bolandis’ alleged speeding had contributed to the accident. It therefore upheld the $800,000 compensation award.

Source: NDTV