FACIAL SCARS Woman wins court battle for laser treatment reimbursement after life-changing injuries

THE Road Accident Fund must reimburse a Western Cape woman for the laser treatment she received on her face, as it was “horribly disfigured” when she was hit by a car while jogging in Hout Bay.

- ZELDA VENTER

The woman, only identified as JA, told the Western Cape High Court that she works in the tourism industry and her appearance is vital for her job. As she was left with prominent facial scarring that significantly affected her self-esteem and her ability to return to the tourism industry, she needed extensive laser treatment.

In February 2018, the plaintiff was running with friends along the shoulder of Northshore Drive, Hout Bay, when she was struck by a vehicle. The collision was caused solely as a result of the negligence of the insured identified driver, as a result of which the plaintiff sustained serious injuries.

These included facial injuries and lacerations, facial bone fractures, a severe left eye injury, as well as a skull fracture. As a result of the injuries, she was permanently disfigured. At the time of the collision, the plaintiff was employed at a tourism company in safari planning, which included international trade shows.