MP's son to pay $230,000 to crash victim

COMPENSATION: Kate Campbell leaves court supported by her parents after being awarded almost $230,000 in injury compensation. Picture: Theo Fakos. Source: PerthNow

ACCUSED: Luke Woollard leaves Perth District Court on the first day of a civil trial. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

A judge has ordered the son of a West Australian MP to pay nearly $230,000 to a woman who was seriously injured when he crashed his father's boat.

Luke Woollard, 23, the son of Alfred Cove independent MP Janet Woollard, was sued in the District Court in Perth by Kate Campbell, 24, to recover more than $200,000 in medical bills, lost earnings and dental treatment.

Ms Campbell was nearly killed when she slammed into the boat's dashboard and windscreen after a drunk Mr Woollard crashed into a navigation pylon near Perth's Canning Bridge in the early hours of November 7, 2007.

Mr Woollard was ferrying people, including Ms Campbell, after a day and night of drinking to celebrate end-of-year university exams.

In the District Court in Perth on Friday, Judge Philip McCann said he had found in favour of Ms Campbell and she should receive $229,627 in compensation.

``The trial was far harder than I ever expected it to be and I'm so happy that it's finally over and that I finally get a chance to pay my outstanding medical and legal bills,'' she said.

``It's such a destructive process to have to go through to get justice and I think I will always be angry that the boat wasn't insured and the way I was forced to fight to get compensation for my injuries.''

Since her accident, Ms Campbell has campaigned for compulsory third-party insurance for leisure boats.

Originally posted here:
MP's son to pay $230,000 to crash victim