Cyclist receives £ 4m compensation

A former tennis coach has been awarded GBP four million after he was knocked off his bike by a hit and run driver.

Fifty five year old Patrice Gougam, from High Barnet, in Hertfordshire, was cycling between Barnet and Potters Bar when he was struck by a Land Rover.

Michael Elliott, the driver of the car, initially fled the scene of the accident, which left Mr Gougham with severe brain injuries.

He was in a coma for three weeks following the incident and then spent six months at Bloomsbury's National Hospital for Neurosurgery and Neurology.

The former tennis coach now requires twenty four hour care, is wheelchair bound and has to be fed through a tube.

Mr Elliott, who was suffering from glaucoma and cataracts at the time of the incident, admitted a charge of dangerous driving and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

Speaking after the High Court hearing, Mr Gougam's wife Virginia said the couple could now move forward, safe in the knowledge that Patrice will receive a high quality of care for the rest of his life.

Posted by Wayne Weir

Related Articles

01/04/2009 - Car accident victim wins compensation claim

30/03/2009 - Widow begins car accident compensation claim

27/03/2009 - Council faces 'massive' road accident claim

07/04/2009 - Injury compensation decision could pave the way for more cases

09/04/2009 - Motorcyclist launches injury claim

15/04/2009 - 'illegal' speed bumps could mean compensation

17/04/2009 - Council 'risked lives' by failing to fill holes

22/04/2009 - Pileup leads to council compensation claims

27/04/2009 - Gbp300k pothole compensation for worcestershire drivers

01/05/2009 - Gbp200 compensation bill for norwich crash