Guernsey's Royal Court has recorded its highest-ever personal injury damages award in the case of JG v AC.

After a night out in St Peter Port in November 2021 a group of friends got into a VW Golf to go home.

Whilst travelling along Le Friquet, a 25mph road, the driver (AC) lost control of the vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old passenger with 'catastrophic and life-changing injuries'.

London law firm Stewarts worked alongside Guernsey's Walkers to represent the young man, who they identify as JG.

They say JG sustained a complete spinal cord injury from the collision, resulting in tetraplegia (a form of paralysis).

He was transferred to Southampton General Hospital by helicopter and received specialist spinal injury rehabilitation at Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital.

His lawyers worked with the defendant's legal team to secure early access to almost £3M.

This funded JG's rehabilitation and enabled him to buy and adapt a new home on the island to suit his long-term needs.

Eventually, the parties agreed on a final lump sum settlement of £23M, following input from specialist financial experts.

Chris Deacon, from Stewarts, represented JG.

“The level of settlement agreed in JG’s case reflects his young age, long life expectancy, requirement for two carers at certain times during the day to meet his care needs safely and the prevailing economic factors in Guernsey.

“The cost of providing specialist spinal cord injury care has risen sharply in recent years and comes with added challenges on a small island with limited resources for spinal injuries such as Guernsey.

“The conclusion in JG’s case reflects what I consider to be an excellent example of collaborative working in action between the parties, navigating through the challenges and complexities of the case and cooperating to reach a sensible outcome."

In October 2022 the driver was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and banned from driving for four years for speeding by Guernsey's Magistrate’s Court.