The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has been ordered to pay an accident victim, now a quadriplegic, R11.5m by Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) Acting Judge Anthony Millar, who described the circumstances in which Henri Lombard now found himself in as ‘an immensely tragic matter’.

According to a Pretoria News report by legal writer Zelda Venter, the judge said it was evident that Lombard’s life had been irreparably altered by the injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident in which he was passenger in June 2018.

At the time of the accident, Lombard, now 25, and one of twin brothers, was attending his final-year apprenticeship towards an N2 diploma. He was named student of the year, yet would never be able to work again, the court was told.

He suffered severe spinal cord injuries and can now only move one of his arms slightly. He will be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his now shortened life, medical experts said.

Advocate Sarel Myburgh told the court Lombard will need 24-hour a day assistance. His life expectancy had also also been reduced by 20 years due to the specific type of spinal cord injury he had suffered.

The RAF admitted it was 100% liable to pay damages to Lombard for his injuries. It was simply necessary to determine how much he should be paid.

Nicolette de Witt, attorney at Gert Nel Attorneys, who represented Lombard, said they were extremely happy his case was finalised considering the congested court rolls regarding RAF matters.

Full Pretoria News report