Machel Snyman, a mother of three from Hartbeespoort, is set to receive a substantial sum in damages from her previous attorneys, SW Botha and WJ Coetzer, who negligently and wrongfully allowed for her claim against the RAF to prescribe.

She and her late husband were passengers in a motor vehicle collision which occurred on 5 April 2003. She was seriously injured, and her husband passed away in the collision. Her previous attorneys failed to lodge her claim with the RAF within the prescribed 3 year period.

The 44-year-old mother was awarded an interim amount of R2 000 000 in the High Court of South Africa, North West Division, Mafikeng on 2 March 2015, for the loss of income and support she suffered. The case was facilitated by her new attorney Jean-Paul Rudd, partner, Commercial, Property and Litigation practice, of law firm Adams & Adams.

Her outstanding damages, namely: past and future medical, hospital and related expenses and general damages, will be finalized at the next hearing date on 26 October 2015.

Aon South Africa (Pty) Ltd, acting on behalf of the Attorneys Insurance Indemnity Fund, has accepted liability to compensate her for R1 562 000. Her previous attorneys will be liable in their personal capacities for the balance of her damages exceeding the insurance cover.

“Claims against professionals i.e. attorneys, doctors, engineers, accountants, etc, are on the rise in South Africa, as is many parts of the world,” concludes Rudd.

Written by Jean Paul Rudd, Adams & Adams