Overview

A university student suffered devastating burns when an out-of-control car struck the chip wagon where he was working, causing boiling grease to splash over his body. Lawsuits were brought against the driver, doctors, and the Ministry of Transportation, resulting in a confidential multimillion-dollar settlement after several weeks of trial.

Key Takeaways

  • Settlement amount: Confidential sum in the millions
  • Accident type: Car collision with a chip wagon
  • Primary injury: Severe burns over the client’s body, except his face
  • Medical treatment: Years of painful skin grafting
  • Long-term impact: Severe scarring, excruciating pain, psychological turmoil, and lifelong care needs
  • Defendants: The driver, doctors, and the Ministry of Transportation
  • Notable legal issues: Alleged failure by doctors to report the driver and the Ministry’s response time after a report was made
  • Resolution method: Settlement after several weeks of trial

The Case

Our client was a university student operating a chip wagon in Windsor, Ontario. While he was working inside the wagon surrounded by stainless steel vats of boiling grease, a nearby driver suffered a seizure and lost control of his car. The vehicle swerved toward the chip wagon, and the collision caused boiling grease to splash over our client’s body.

He suffered severe burns across his body, except for his face. After years of painful skin grafting, he was left severely scarred. He became a recluse and was left facing lifelong excruciating pain and psychological turmoil.

We sued the driver as well as doctors who had failed to report the driver to the Ministry of Transportation. A claim was also brought against the Ministry concerning the time it took to respond after one doctor did make a report.

After several weeks of trial, the parties reached a confidential settlement in the millions. The recovery was sufficient to provide care for our client for the rest of his life.

Why It Matters

This case involved devastating burn injuries with permanent physical and psychological consequences. The legal proceedings involved multiple parties and examined circumstances extending beyond the collision itself.

The confidential multimillion-dollar settlement provided for the client’s lifelong care needs following years of treatment and permanent effects from his injuries.