Gabriel Majuri won an 11-year fight with his insurer

Gabriel Majuri has won a court battle with insurance company Fennia over the long-term effects of a brain injury from a 2013 car crash. Yle’s investigative programme MOT reported that Fennia argued his continuing symptoms were primarily caused by his premature birth, not the accident.

Majuri was 23 when his car was hit from behind on a motorway as he drove towards Helsinki. He had pulled onto the shoulder after a warning light indicated a brake fault, then rejoined the right-hand lane. The driver of the car behind, travelling at 120 kilometres per hour, told police during the preliminary investigation that he was tired and had not noticed Majuri’s slower-moving car.

The impact crushed the rear of Majuri’s car. His vehicle then hit the roadside barrier and spun around. Majuri lost consciousness and was taken to hospital.

After being discharged a couple of days later, he experienced confusion, balance problems and severe fatigue. He tried to return to his business studies the following autumn but had to take sick leave because of his symptoms. When he later attempted to resume his studies with fewer hours, he began having episodes that sometimes required hospital treatment.

Majuri was diagnosed with a brain injury and a neck whiplash injury. Fennia initially paid compensation, but after a year it decided his continuing symptoms were no longer connected to the crash. Majuri appealed to the Traffic Accident Board, which handles insurance disputes. The case was considered there four times over several years before proceeding to court.

Before the court proceedings, Fennia said in a submission that Majuri’s symptoms were primarily due to his premature birth. The dispute centred on the long-term consequences of brain injuries. Majuri worked in insurance sales and retail alongside his studies before the crash, and had been studying and working for seven years.