Stewarts Law recovers £1 million for Patagonia trekkers

Stewarts Law have recently recovered damages of about £1 million for nine passengers who were involved in a bus crash whilst on a trekking holiday in Patagonia.

The trek through the High Andes of Patagonia was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime and was described as a journey to the uttermost part of the Earth". The tour allowed the participants to trek amongst such peaks as the granite towers of Las Torres Del Paine and Mount Fitzroy.

On the final day of the holiday on the return trip to El Calafate, the driver of the minibus lost control of the vehicle and they were driven into a bank. The injuries amongst the group ranged from serious pelvic fractures, dislocations, internal injuries, spinal fractures with neurological damage to psychological distress. Given the previous fitness and nature of many of the group, dealing with their severe injuries was particularly difficult, as it meant that they are no longer able to undertake the treks and activities that they had previously enjoyed so much. Many of the members of the group are still living with the long lasting effects of the accident, which still continue to affect their everyday life.

The civil action was brought under Package Tours Regulations 1992 which permits tourists to sue their tour operator in England even where the accident occurs overseas, in this case Argentina. The cases concluded in November 2009 with the claimants receiving compensation of between £10,000 to £475,000.

Nicholas Bryant, who was the most seriously injured in the accident said of Megan Goodyer, Solicitor for the group and the team at Stewarts Law in London: "They showed real understanding, interest, patience and hospitality in dealing with my case".