Personal injury claim news
27/03/2009

Gold medallist could face car crash compensation action

A Chinese businessman who suffered injuries in a car crash has indicated that he wants to make a personal injury claim against Olympic gold medallist hurdler Liu Xiang over the incident, despite the athlete having no direct involvement in the accident.

The would-be claimant suffered head injuries while driving a vehicle endorsed by the hurdler; he collided with a heavy goods vehicle and smashed his head against the windscreen after the car's airbag failed to inflate.

He told a Chinese newspaper why he wishes to make a personal injury claim against Liu Xiang, commenting, "Liu's advert had a great influence on my choice of car. I want to send a warning message to all the celebrities that they can not only focus on the payment and neglect their social responsibility and public trust."

However, with little precedent for such litigation, it remains to be seen whether the businessman's personal injury claim stands any chance of success.