Family of Leicester City chopper crash victim in insurance payout row

The family of an employee at Leicester City who died in a helicopter crash last October are embroiled in a £7 million battle for compensation.

Nusara Suknamai was on the personal helicopter of the Premier League club’s owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha when it suffered technical problems moments after it took off from pitch at the club’s ground. The helicopter crashed nearby killing five people on board including Nusara and Khun Vichai.

Multi-billionaire Khun Vichai and family own the King Power duty free organisation and now media in their native Thailand are reporting the family of Nusara are claiming 300 million baht – more than £7 million – in damages from Khun Vichai’s estate.

Thai newspapers are reporting Nusara’s family are planning to take Khun Vichai’s estate to court later this year saying at present they have received the equivalent of around £2,000 for funeral costs and an amount of money to donate to monks.

Lawyers for the family are reported to have said they were offered around £20,100, and later £40,200 but declined the money. It’s believed the family were offered an insurance payment of £20,000 but declined the amount amid claims that attached to the payment was a condition they waive their rights to make any further claims.

Local newspaper the Leicester Mercury contacted the club’s owners, and, in a statement, said that King Power had offered the family with “all legal support and assistances, including claim against insurance after the accident”.

“However, the family accepted only statutory and welfare payments but denied other assistances offered,” it added. “Last December King Power offered financial support to the family on a humanitarian basis, but the family declined.

“The family also denied a non-prejudice initial payment offered by the insurer for $25,000 [around £20,000] including improved offers and has not reached a settlement with the insurer for the last 10 months.”