Couple still seeking compensation after fire in Gulf state villa left Elizabeth Soffe with life-threatening burns
Elizabeth was left with third-degree burns to more than 60 per cent of her body and lost most of her fingers and her hair, part of her nose and an ear, and will need many more operations throughout her life. She also needs regular physiotherapy to ease the movement of her neck, elbows, wrists and other joints, which is restricted due to scarring.
The family hoped their fight was over last year when Qatar’s court of the first instance ruled that Al Asmakh Real Estate Development and its insurers Sukoon Insurance should pay nearly 15 million Qatari riyals in compensation. The amount covered Elizabeth’s existing treatment and future treatment, as well as the family’s possessions lost in the fire.
“We’ve spent about £25,000 on court fees so far. UK solicitors we’ve asked all agree that if the case was heard here, the compensation would be between £8 million and £10 million. [In Qatar] there’s almost no consideration of what we would consider pain and suffering – for mental health and trauma. All we want is for Elizabeth to be taken care of, so that she has a life and opportunities.