by Richard Robins
2 November 2010
A man who suffered horrific injury whilst on holiday in Spain has won a landmark ruling that may result in him being awarded UK levels of personal injury compensation.
Clint Jacobs was on holiday with his fiancé and their three young sons in December 2007 when the accident happened.
An uninsured driver lost control of his car and ploughed into Mr Jacobs while he was frozen in fear beside his own car in a supermarket car park in Marbella.
The accident, reports This is Bristol, left his knee looking ‘like a Crunchie that had been stamped on’ as well as inflicting an incredible 25 breaks to his left leg, a broken pelvis, and a head injury.
Initially the Motor Insurers Bureau told Mr Jacobs that he would only be entitled to Spanish levels of compensation, which are typically around 75% lower than the UK equivalent, but following a successful appeal in a British court he now has the right to claim fully for his injury, which has seen him unable to work, his company go into administration and him lose his house.
His wife Claire says, "Clint needs several more operations, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and may yet lose his leg, so it means we can get the care he needs.
"We are terrified they are going to appeal, and we can't look forward to the future until the money is in the bank, but hopefully this can help give us a better future."