$1M for child car victim

Press, 1 March 1984, Page 26

$1M for child car victim

A young boy who suffered permanent brain damage in a car accident at Alice Springs in 1977 and consequently feels neither pain, joy, nor sorrow, has been awarded more than sAustl million compensation. A Northern Territory Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Muirhead, has awarded sAustl.O2B million (SNZI.4 million) to Damien Barry Lloyd, aged nine, who is now under permanent care at Adelaide Children’s Hospital. Mr Justice Muirhead heard evidence during a week-long hearing at Alice Springs last October that the boy had been stnick by an uninsured car in central Australia when he was aged three. He was transferred to the

Adelaide Children’s Hospital with permanent brain damage and had remained there . for six years. Medical evidence had been presented which showed that the boy had no appreciation of his plight. He felt no pain, joy, or sorrow. “He will never recover nor live a life he comprehends,” his Honour said. A damages action on the boy’s behalf was brought by his mother, Patricia Mary Lloyd, against a nominal defendant and Desmond and Sheila Humble. His Honour entered judgment against the nominal defendant and formally dismissed the action against the second and third defendants.