Man speared through eye by hotel parasol to win millions in compensation
A holidaymaker speared through the eye by a flying parasol at a Tenerife hotel is set to receive millions of pounds in compensation.
Godfrey Keefe, 52, from Gateshead, was staying at the Bahia Principe Costa Hotel with his family in October 2006.
He was sitting beside the hotel pool when a gust of wind blew an unsecured parasol into his face, spearing his right eye socket and penetrating into his brain, causing him very serious injuries.
According to a report in the Telegraph, a judge in the case has valued his damages claim at more than £5 million, although the amount has yet to be assessed.
The case has dragged on for eight years because Hoteles Pinero Canarias SL, the owners of the resort, argued that Keefe was not entitled to sue them in England.
Instead the Spanish firm said he would have to take legal action in Spain, where damages awarded would have been below £600,000.
But at an Appeal Court this week, judges ruled that under European law he is entitled to sue both the hotel owners and their Spanish insurers in an English court.
Keefe, a keen sportsman, underwent emergency surgery to remove the parasol spike and has had more operations since.
According to his lawyers, he is now unfit to work and has to undergo an intensive care regime.
He was a director of a civil engineering firm at the time of the incident.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season