A national law firm in South Africa dealing with Road Accident Fund claims, Adendorff Attorneys Inc., successfully won a R7,146,088.00 in August 2021. With highly talented attorneys and staff, we are known for our pursuit of high settlement amounts.
A Stellenbosh family approached Adendorff Attorneys Inc. for assistance in a personal injury claim against the Road Accident Fund. Jurie Terblanche, senior associate at Adendorff Attorneys Inc., met with the family of 48-year-old Craig Smit*, who had been involved in a life-changing car accident in 2016.
When the accident occurred, Craig, a fitter and turner, was a passenger in a vehicle travelling on the R304 in Stellenbosch, Cape Town. Craig was conscious after the collision, but the driver was worried that he had broken his neck. An ambulance took him to a nearby hospital but, owing to his injuries, was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital, where he remained for a week before being transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH). Craig spent three months at GSH and four months at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC).
Life After the Accident
Craig was discharged from the WRCRC an incredible 332 days after the accident. But he still needed additional care and was moved to the Andries Olivier Quadriplegic Centre. His medical reports confirmed Craig had unfortunately suffered a severe cervical spine injury that left him with no feeling below the point of injury. Paralysed in his arms and legs, Craig had to face the fact that he would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life and would not be able to return to his work in any capacity.
Calculating the Personal Injury Claim
The merits in the matter were settled before the trial, with The Road Accident Fund admitting 100% liability which made them liable to pay for 100% of Craig’s proven claim.
Adendorff Attorneys’ team of experts worked together to prove the quantum amount Craig deserved to be paid for general damages, past and future loss of earnings, past medical expenses. He was assessed by our medical team comprised of a psychiatrist, spinal and rehabilitation expert, neurologist, clinical psychologist and occupational therapist. An industrial psychologist and actuarial scientist also assessed his case. Each expert report is important and is the justification for the amount claimed.
By understanding your past financial performance and how it would have continued, the industrial psychologist can assess the effect of your injury on your future earnings. Next, an actuary takes this data and turns it into numbers based on various schedules and trends to calculate how much you would have earned in the same field had you not been injured — and that’s where we get a more specific and accurate idea of how much you’ve missed out on. The Judge granted a capital amount of R7,146,088.04.
Working with Adendorff Attorneys on the Personal Injury Claim
“Craig’s tragic accident left him in a life-altering position and allowed me the privilege to be able to fight for the best possible compensation for him. Craig had previously signed another law firm based in Johannesburg, however he wanted an attorney closer to him and signed a new mandate with Adendorff Attorneys,” explains Jurie.
Through the process, Craig built up a close relationship with Jurie’s team who were in contact with Craig almost daily to ensure that all of his needs were met. Adendorff Attorneys covered Craig’s fees at the Quadriplegic Centre amongst other costs. “Craig has great ambitions to buy his own home up the West Coast with the settlement money he receives. It brings me great joy to be able to offer Craig a new lease on life and wish him every success in the future,” says Jurie.
*Name has been changed to protect client privacy.
Due to the many factors that impact an individual case, we cannot guarantee a similar result in any future case.
Do You Have a Claim?
WhatsApp Adendorff Attorneys Inc on 076 911 7300 to talk to us about your claim, and we will get in touch with a free no-obligation discussion about your case and how we can help.
