Totnes architect campaigns for injured people

A car crash survivor from Totnes has taken on a leading role for a national not-for-profit campaign group for injured people.

Musa Garba, an accomplished architect, suffered major leg injuries in a car crash 12 years ago.

He has joined the executive committee of APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) as a lay member. APIL works for a fairer world for people injured by negligence, such as in road collisions and at work, and for the prevention of needless injuries.

“I congratulate APIL for including people who have experienced car accident trauma in their decision-making process,” said Musa.

“My injuries dramatically changed my life. I fully support APIL’s aims and objectives and would be honoured to help further them. As an architect I’ve been involved in diversity and inclusion issues within the profession for over 20 years. I hope my experience can help APIL achieve their aims in this area too.”

Current APIL campaigns include calls for an overhaul of the law on bereavement compensation in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which is out of step with modern family relationships. Many relations, including step-parents and grandchildren, are denied statutory damages when their loved one is wrongfully killed. 

APIL is also campaigning for a solution to the patient safety crisis in the NHS. It proposes the appointment of a Patient Safety Commissioner with a wide remit of providing strategic coordination and an over-arching link between patients, regulators, healthcare providers and policymakers.

APIL chief executive Mike Benner said: “It’s an exciting time on our executive committee, as we now have people who have direct experience of needless injuries at board level, working together with our lawyer executive committee members. We’re all looking forward to working closely with Musa”.