An American holiday maker who had his leg broken at a Connecticut casino resort has been awarded $2.9 million for his injuries, reports indiancountrytoday.com.

In November 2006, Richard Murch and his wife arrived at the Foxwoods Grand Pequot Hotel where they planned to celebrate their 45th wedding adversary. As he was unloading luggage out of the rear of the car, a member of the valet parking team started the ignition of another car directly behind Mr Murch, which had been left in gear.

Witnesses said in court papers that the car "took off", crushing Murch against his own vehicle before carrying him 20 feet and knocking him to the pavement. The vehicle continued to travel forward and rolled over him, pinning him to the floor.

The injuries sustained by Mr Murch were so serious that, after a number of operations trying to save it, he had to have his leg amputated above the knee.

The claim was brought about for medical expenses, loss of earnings and other expenses that Mr Murch will have to face for the rest of his life. These include medical bills, future medical expenses, funds for new prosthetics as technology advances and money to make the necessary improvements and modifications to his home.

According to Mr Murch’s attorney, M. John Strafaci, the insurance company agreed to settle literally minutes before the judge was to hear the case. "It was a great weight taken off his shoulders, knowing he could pay his bills and the family could have some security," Strafaci said.

The claim against the casino hotel was based around the negligence "to properly train, supervise and establish work rules prohibiting the procedure of reaching into cars to turn the ignition keys while standing outside them".