1m Payout in Compensation

A journalist who was knocked down near Belfast whilst he was using his mobile phone has received more than 1m in compensation. The individual, a Slovakian national Milan Rybanksy aged 34 suffered serious brain injuries, he was also left unable to walk or talk. The accident occurred over six year ago; his lawyers secured a settlement payout of 1.125m. This payout has been reduced in order to reflect his share of responsibility in what happened in the accident. The accident occurred when Mr Rybanksy was crossing the Mallusk Road in Newtownabbey, he was hit by a car in December 2004. The individual who is a trained journalist had moved to Belfast six weeks before the collision. He is fluent in three languages and has previously worked as a teacher in his native country. Since the accident, Mr Rybanksy has relocated near to his home in Bratislava where he requires 24 hour care; he is confined to a wheelchair and has only limited use of his hands. The claim was put together by his parents who were forced to sell their home and give up work in order to look after him. Initially it was claimed that the individual was responsible for the accident due to him using his phone, although an agreement was eventually reached to share liability due to the driver failing to see Mr Rybanksy. The lawyer representatives stated that the settlement reflected the seriousness of his clients injuries and the fact he will never work again.