Bus Fall Victim Awarded More Than £1.3 Million

A man who fell from a London bus and suffered severe head injuries has been awarded a seven-figure compensation settlement.

Vincenzo Bollito, a 36-year-old designer, was between the doors of the bus when the driver closed them and accelerated down the road. This caused Mr Bollito to lose his balance and he fell and hit his head hard on the pavement. The accident caused him to suffer brain damage, as a result of which he does not always recognise his family and is now partially sighted.

The claim for negligence against the bus company was brought on Mr Bollito’s behalf by his wife. The bus company claimed that Mr Bollito had jumped from the bus himself, but in court the judge rejected this version of events.

Mr Justice Nelson acknowledged the difficulties associated with a bus driver’s job and that passengers can sometimes be difficult. However, bus drivers have responsibility for vehicles capable of causing serious injury to passengers and must act appropriately to prevent accidents. In the judge’s view, the driver had known that Mr Bollito was standing between the doors of the bus and had intentionally closed them and driven away.

Mr Bollito was awarded a lump sum of £1.3 million together with annual payments of £31,500.