Nassau, BAHAMAS-A judge has awarded over $400,000 in damages to a man who suffered life-changing injuries in a traffic accident 13 years ago.
Justice Ian Winder awarded D. Symonette, a former engineer at Bahamas Fast Ferries, $416,806.
Symonette was 36 when Charles Turnquest’s truck knocked him off his motorcycle on March 27, 2007 on Bernard Road.
Turnquest admitted liability for the accident. Winder held the trial to assess damages.
Symonette suffered multiple broken bones and soft tissue injuries.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Symonette could not walk for seven months after the accident and was unfit for work for over a year.
As a result, Symonette lost his job at Bahamas Fast Ferries and group medical insurance.
Symonette now lives with screws in all of his limbs and cannot walk any distance without experiencing excruciating pain.
Since the accident, Symonette could only find work as a security guard and a truck driver. He can no longer play basketball and football.
A doctor told the court that Symonette is at risk of developing osteoarthritis because of the accident.
In a judgement delivered on May 1, Winder said, “It seems clear that the plaintiff is unable to continue in his chosen line of employment any longer, in any event, having regard to his injury.
“I accept that he has sustained and will continue to suffer some loss of income as he is limited to earning a living in jobs such as truck driving and security guard work.”
Symonette received damages for pain and suffering, past loss earnings, future lost earnings, medical expenses and the bike’s value.
