Harris v Knight

The plaintiff, Matthew Harris, sued the defendant, Daniel John Knight, over injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on 2 May 2001. The defendant had run a stop sign and collided with the plaintiff’s vehicle. The defendant admitted liability and the plaintiff sought damages. The court assessed the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries, the impact they had had on his life, and awarded damages accordingly. The plaintiff was awarded $206,443.44 in damages. This sum comprised past economic loss ($39,065.68), lost overtime ($10,000.00), interest on past economic loss ($2,000.00), future economic loss ($40,000.00), future out-of-pocket expenses ($20,017.86), general damages ($70,000.00), interest on past component of general damages ($2,000.00), damages under the principle in Fox v Wood ($6,360.00) and damages under the principle in Griffiths v Kerkemeyer ($27,000.00). The court also ordered the defendant to pay the plaintiff’s costs.