£1.1 Million Award for Musician Hit by Car

A musician who was hit by a car while crossing a road in London has been awarded compensation of more than £1.1 million.

Tavenor Douglas, 41, had been out celebrating his birthday on the day the accident happened. He was using a pedestrian crossing opposite the Natural History Museum in South Kensington when he was knocked down by a car.

He suffered severe injuries in the accident, including brain damage. He was in a coma for a week and spent a further month in intensive care. He then had to have substantial reconstructive surgery. As a result of the accident he has lost the sight in one eye and the hearing in one ear, and also has long-term neurological and psychological problems.

Mr Douglas had been the lead singer in a band prior to the accident, but he is no longer able to sing or play a musical instrument. Experts for both parties agreed it is very unlikely he will ever work again.

The driver of the car subsequently pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and was fined and banned from driving for three years.

The driver’s insurance company disputed the level of compensation payable, but the High Court approved an award of £1,137,500. This took into account a 12.5 per cent reduction for Mr Douglas’s share of the responsibility for the accident.