GUERNSEY’S Social Security Department hopes to recover more than £600,000 it has paid out in care fees to help a severely injured man.
Former Commonwealth Games team cyclist Manny Helmot, 39 (pictured), spent six months in a UK hospital after he was hit by a car while riding in Braye Road on a November evening in 1998.
His guardians, mother Rose Helmot and Ken Jordan, are making an £18m. personal injury claim on his behalf in the Royal Court against the driver of the car, Dylan Simon, insurance company Tradex and its re-insurers. Mr Simon has played no active part in proceedings.
Giving evidence yesterday, Social Security chief officer Malcolm Nutley told the court how the department had been reimbursed for £366,000 in care fees but £616,000 was still outstanding.
Mr Nutley said he had been involved in Mr Helmot’s case since he was advised that he had reached the rehabilitation stage in the UK and was being brought back to Guernsey. His needs meant local care homes were not appropriate for him and it had been decided he would be looked after at home.
‘The question was whether the Social Security Authority [its name at the time] was prepared to finance the carers and the understanding was that payment would become part of any action,’ said Mr Nutley.
He said the five board members approved the agreement. In the event of any claim being unsuccessful, the department would not seek reimbursement from Mr Helmot or his family.
Article posted on 3rd November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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