Legal News
Sheffield Man^s “Disappointing” Personal Injury Pay-out (26 September 2011)
Date: 26/09/2011
A Sheffield man injured in a fire in a Thai nightclub in 2009 has described the level of compensation he received as “disappointing”. Oliver Smart, 33, was subjected to severe burns during the Santika Club inferno. Two people received jail sentences and were ordered to pay £162,000 in compensation over a Bangkok blaze that killed 67 people. The fire started in the early hours of January the 1st, 2009 when around 1000 people were inside the club. The nightclub’s owner, Wisuk Sejsawat, and the pyrotechnics technician at the club, Boonchu Laosrinak, both received a three-year jail sentence.
Mr. Smart said that as a result of the injuries suffered from the blaze, he would require lifelong medical attention. Mr. Smart’s compensation claim formed part of a criminal case. However, Mr. Smart is said to be pursuing a separate civil case. Mr. Smart announced his relief that Mr. Sejsawat and Mr. Laosrinak were being held accountable for the blaze. However, claimed that the level of compensation offered to the victims was “disappointing”.
Mr. Smart stated that his own claim for his injuries was valued at around the same amount that the court had ordered to be awarded to all of the victims and the families of those who perished in the blaze. Those killed died as a result of burns, smoke inhalation, or crush injuries.
Duncan Lewis’ expert team of personal injury solicitors can handle a full range of compensation claims. The department is able to represent clients seeking general and specialist damage payouts.