Honeymoon crash woman Barbara Oliva to get £7m compensation

Barbara Oliva Barbara Oliva was thrown on to her head after the crash on the Embankment

A woman who is "profoundly disabled" after her brain was severely damaged while she was on honeymoon in London is to get £7m in compensation, the High Court has ruled.

Barbara Oliva, of Londrina near Sao Paulo in Brazil, was injured in a motorbike crash on the Embankment.

The 26-year-old's lawyers had sued a car driver involved and agreed the damages package.

Mr Justice Lewis approved the amount, saying it was "proper and reasonable".

Lawyers said Mrs Oliva had been riding pillion on husband Andre's Honda five years ago when the motorbike and the car were in collision.

They had taken legal action against driver Yusef Mahmoud, of Southwark, south-east London, and an insurance firm.

The court heard Mrs Oliva's husband, who suffered minor injuries, had not been to blame but Mahmoud, who also suffered minor injuries, had been convicted of a number of driving offences.

She said Mrs Oliva, who was wearing a helmet, had been thrown on to her head.

Lawyers said the couple, who were no longer together, had been on an extended honeymoon.

'Altered state'
Barbara Oliva with her mother Edna The 26-year-old is being looked after in Brazil by her mother Edna

The judge praised Mrs Oliva's mother Edna for the "care and devotion" she had shown and said he had been "deeply moved".

He said Mrs Oliva, who is back in Brazil, had made "remarkable improvements" but would always need 24-hour care.

Jenny Kennedy, Mrs Oliva's solicitor, said: "The money awarded today can never compensate the family for what happened to their daughter, and for the altered state in which she now lives, unable to walk and speak normally.

"However, they are pleased that the compensation means they will be able to have her with them and be able to take care of her properly for the rest of her life.

"Edna was desperate to get Barbara home."

Ms Kennedy said interim damages payments had enabled the family home to be converted for Mrs Oliva's use.

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