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Gert Nel Attorneys Obtains RAF Settlement Worth More Than R10 Million for Client
2 April 2019 Pretoria – Gert Nel Attorneys recently obtained a RAF Settlement worth more than R10 million in a Road Accident Fund claim. The judgement was obtained for a client who was involved in a motor vehicle accident when the insured driver skipped a red traffic light and collided with our client. Merits was settled 100% in favour of our client. The client sustained injuries to his neck and back including a fracture of the odontoid process at C2 level in his neck. He sustained several rib fractures and soft tissue injuries to his hip and right arm. As a result of the injuries he had a fusion done on C1 – C3 levels in his neck. He however remained symptomatic after the neck operation, in respect of pain in his neck. This led to him not being able to function in the open labour market, and as a
Staying safe over the silly season
South Africans are social animals who work hard and play hard. As we draw to the close of the year, we gratefully accept any opportunity to celebrate and socialize. We love this about our nation and encourage it within reasonable limits. The chances of accidents increase as we approach the end of the year, for a number of reasons, including: We’ve worked hard all year – we’re tired and distracted. There’s an increase in social functions, with an increase in alcohol intake. We’re stressed in different ways by trying to wrap up the year, ensuring we have met all our goals for the year and at the same time trying to plan for the holidays as well as for the next year. Some of us may be feeling the weight of financial strain as we want to provide for our loved ones but are financially constrained. As people travel to
Thinking of claiming from the RAF without an attorney? Think again
Recent publications may have you thinking about claiming from the RAF without an attorney, but direct claims may not be the answer for you. Do you need to claim from the Road Accident Fund (RAF)? Do you have an attorney? Should you go the direct route and have the RAF assist you? To aid you in making the right decision consider the following. You may argue that it is costly to use an attorney to assist you with a claim against the RAF and that you can do better by going the direct route as per the RAF’s website. However, it could just cost you more by not making use of the services of a reputable attorney, both in time and in money. Claiming direct from the RAF Section 19(c) of the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996 (as amended) stipulates that a claim may be lodged by the
Important steps to follow when involved in a car accident
An accident is an unplanned and uncontrolled event, and it isn’t something you really want to think about. Knowing a few important steps to follow when involved in a car accident makes the event easier to deal with. No-one wants to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. We all do our best to avoid them, but as just mentioned, it is an unplanned and uncontrolled event. You may not be able to control future events – you can, however drive safe, be alert and obey the laws, but you cannot predict what will happen. Being prepared for if you are ever involved in a car accident is the most you can do. Motor vehicle accident statistics Some terrible and sobering statistics from a press release by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in April 2017 stated that there were 235 deaths over the Easter period. During this period 61
Medical Negligence and Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Over 100 000 babies are born prematurely, per year, in South Africa. There are many heartwarming stories of these premature babies who grow into healthy adults with no related issues. Sadly, however, medical and health complications linked to premature births are now the second biggest killer of children under 5 years, after pneumonia. How is Retinopathy of prematurity or ROP linked to Medical Negligence? Causes of premature births are numerous, and are often completely unavoidable. However, in some cases premature births can be the result of negligence on the part of the medical practitioner. In the case of negligence, you need to take steps to submit a claim to ensure that you are adequately financially covered to treat any possible complications that may arise because of the early delivery. One of the resultant outcomes of a premature birth is Retinopathy of prematurity or ROP. ROP is an eye disorder that primarily