Indian couple gets over $36 m. in accident compensation

An Indian couple, who sustained serious injuries in an accident in the United States in 2010, has been awarded a whopping $36.48 million as compensation by a California court.

A Riverside County Superior Court jury awarded the compensation to Prakash Sheth, 64, and his wife, Jashiree Sheth, 58, from Mumbai, whose car was struck by a big-rig on Interstate 10 in Beaumont.

At the time of the accident, the Sheths were visiting the U.S. from India and were on their way to an airport in Orange County for a family vacation in Hawaii.

According to the plaintiffs’ attorneys, the Sheths were being driven by an American relative to the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana when their vehicle was hit by a 18-wheeler truck, Valley news reported.

“The impact of the truck caused the Sheths’ vehicle to spin out of control across the freeway, where it hit the median barrier and was struck by another vehicle,” according to a statement released by Panish, Shea & Boyle, the law firm representing the couple.

All of the occupants were hurt, but Jashiree received the worst injuries, including a spinal fracture that left her paralysed. She now requires 24-hour care, said attorney Brian Panish.

“The plaintiffs have suffered tremendously and will continue to suffer for the rest of their lives,” he said. “The jury recognised this with their verdict. Justice was done.”

The jury award against the truck company Schneider National included $ 469,490 in past medical expenses, $ 4.8 million for future medical expenses, $6 million for past pain and suffering and $ 22 million for future pain and suffering.