Majed Issa: Lionheart Lawyers partner sentenced for negligent driving at Sydney’s CBD

A lawyer, who specialises in personal injury claims, has fronted court after colliding with a pedestrian with his car in Sydney’s CBD. The victim was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw.

A split-second was all it took for a lawyer, who specialises in helping injured people with compensation claims, to find himself on the other side of a courtroom after his car collided with a man, leaving him unconscious and suffering severe injuries, in Sydney’s CBD.

Moorebank man Majed Issa, 45, fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Friday after pleading guilty to negligent driving resulting in grievous bodily harm.

The court heard Issa is a partner at Lionheart Lawyers, with an online bio detailing his extensive experience in personal injury, compensation and negligence law.

“Majed is recognised as one of the best qualified lawyers to assist injured people with their personal injury and compensation claims,” the company website states.

According to documents tendered to court, the accident took place about 6:45pm on October 10.

Majed Issa.

Issa was driving along Clarence St in Sydney’s CBD and had stopped at the intersection of King St to make a right-hand turn.

“The victim was standing on the corner of King and Clarence St, waiting to cross … it was dark (and) the victim was standing under a scaffolding structure, which was obscuring the streetlights,” court documents state.

Intersection of Clarence St and King St. Picture: Google Maps.

“The pedestrian light went green … (but) at the same time, the traffic lights at the intersection turned green, allowing (Issa) to turn right onto King St after giving way to the pedestrians.”

But Issa did not notice the victim cross the road and instead drove into the victim, causing him to fall to the ground and be knocked unconscious, a court heard.

The court heard Issa immediately provided first aid to the victim while waiting for the ambulance to arrive and transport him to St Vincent's Hospital

The victim broke multiple bones — including his jaw — and some injuries required surgery, with metal plates and screws needed to fix his broken wrist.

According to police facts, the victim required three months off work to attend hand physiotherapy and rehabilitation appointments.

“The victim could only return to work after three months with limited lifting and carrying capacity due to the injuries,” court documents state.

In court, Issa’s lawyer said his client was “a person who gives more than he takes from society”.

Issa was sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court.

The court heard Issa is a father-of-two who contributes to charity and gives back to his community.

“Mr Issa is a good human … who has certainly learned from what has occurred,” the lawyer said. “(And) he is a litigation lawyer so none of this has been at all lost on him.”

Magistrate David Covington said Issa’s good driving record, lack of previous convictions and decision to immediately provide aid to the victim all attest to his good character.

The court also heard Issa was not speeding or over the legal drinking limit when his car hit the victim.

“But the offence isn’t trivial … (and) I have to have regard to the harm done to the victim, the injuries were serious,” Mr Covington said.

For his offence, Issa was convicted. He is disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pay a $1000 fine.