VANCOUVER — A judge has awarded a man who survived war in the Democratic Republic of Congo more than $1 million for a car crash that exacerbated his post-traumatic stress disorder.
British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Robert Sewell says in his written decision that Olivier Yewa Shongu led a very difficult life before he came to Canada as a refugee in 2005, including witnessing the deaths of many of his family members.
Shongu was diagnosed and treated for PTSD, which his doctor testified was under control until he was involved in a car crash in Richmond, B.C., in July 2012.
After the crash, he reported nightmares and daytime hallucinations of people wanting to kill him and visions of his family being killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which were treated with anti-psychotic drugs.
Li Jing, who was driving the other car involved in the collision, denied liability for the crash and argued that Shongu’s injuries were from a pre-existing condition.
Sewell says in his decision that he is satisfied there is a connection between the crash and Shongu’s present symptoms, and ruled that Li must pay $1,080,000 in damages.
21:48ET 24-05-16
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
