NC man gets R5m from RAF after accident

A 45-YEAR-old Olifantshoek man, who was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in July 2013, has been awarded a R5 million claim against the Road Accident Fund.

The accident happened on the N8 near Petrusburg and the man sustained severe injuries to his back, which resulted in him being medically boarded in February 2016.

He worked at Sishen Mine as a plant operator foreman and previously as a boilermaker.

In view of the injuries sustained in the accident, he lodged a claim against the Road Accident Fund in the Bloemfontein High Court.

The matter was due to be heard this week. After a lengthy discussion between the parties’ respective advocates and reports from Dr Robert J Koch, a consulting actuary, the parties came to an agreement and an order was granted yesterday in the Bloemfontein High Court by Acting Judge Ilse van Rhyn in favour of the plaintiff.

The settlement amount of R5 million was coupled with an undertaking that the Road Accident Fund will cover the plaintiff ’s future accident-related medical and hospital expenses. In addition to this settlement, the court also awarded party costs in favour of the plaintiff.

The plaintiff was represented by Lizette Rust, a director from the firm Venters Rust Incorporated in Kimberley, which specialises in third party claims and other personal injury-related claims.

The plaintiff attorney instructed advocate Hannes Rust, also from Kimberley, to act on their behalf.

The Road Accident Fund was represented by advocate PC Van Amstel of Bloemfontein on the instructions of Mr Maduba Attorneys.