Paralysed teenager wins record damages

A teenager who was left almost completely paralysed by a road accident has been awarded a settlement estimated to be worth more than £17.5 million.

Chrissie Johnson was 16 when the car in which she was a passenger collided with a lorry in 2006. After the accident, Ms Johnson was in intensive care for 10 days. She had sustained serious brain injuries and has spent the last four years in various hospitals and care homes. She can now move one of her arms and is able to communicate with others.

Ms Johnson will require round-the-clock nursing care for the rest of her life and will always have to use a wheelchair.

After bringing a claim against the driver of the car, Ms Johnson was offered the settlement by the driver’s insurance company. The terms of the settlement, recently approved in court, consist of a £4 million lump sum plus annual index-linked payments of £300,000 a year for the rest of Ms Johnson’s life. It is believed to be the largest ever payout in this type of claim.

The money will be used to provide a suitable new home for Ms Johnson and to pay for her future care needs.

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