Case Study - Simon
Mr B was 21 when he was the victim of a road traffic accident. He sustained life-threatening injuries, including severe head injury and a long period of unconsciousness, which affected his vision, co-ordination, hearing and speech.
Mr B was in his third year of a four-year University course, and at the time of the accident he had was mid-way through an employment placement. His academic ability and complementary evaluations in his work placement indicated strong potential in hotel and leisure management; however, due to the fact that he was significantly disabled he was left at a gross disadvantage on the open labour market. We had the difficult task of assessing his loss of earning potential, and instructed forensic accountants to assess this.
The claimant was living with his parents after the accident, however the house was unsuitable for him despite the provision of a stair lift. We therefore obtained a report that recommended he purchase another more suitable property, and this was reflected in the eventual settlement. We provided him with full support in finding and purchasing suitable alternative accommodation.
The claimant obtained £2,099,000.00 in settlement of his claim for compensation.
Case Study - Elizabeth
Mrs W was the pillion on a motorcycle when she was injured in a road traffic accident aged 22. She suffered an extremely severe head injury causing problems with vision, speech and hearing and an increased risk of epilepsy. As a result of the accident she experienced a significant personality change, for which we arranged a course of behaviour therapy. Mrs W is now much improved, but due to the accident she has had to re-learn how to assert herself properly and manage her anger.
She also sustained a fractured pelvis and collarbone and required reconstructive surgery on her knee, causing her to rely upon the use of walking aids and a wheelchair. She will require knee replacement surgery in due course, and the future cost of this was taken into account in the final compensation figure. Mrs W was able to obtain the cost of a new vehicle, specifically adjusted to fit a wheelchair, and it was also possible to take account of the cost of replacement vehicles in the future.
The court approved a settlement of £1,200,000.00
Case study - Megan (deceased)
M (a minor) suffered Cerebral Palsy as a result of negligent treatment by medical professionals during the final stages of her mother’s pregnancy. She was born severely disabled and dependent upon others for care and attention for life. Sadly, the claimant died during the proceedings, but her compensation was paid to her estate.
The family received £200,000.00 in settlement of the claim. This is obviously little comfort for the loss of a precious young daughter, but it did go some way to alleviating the financial expense to the family of the wonderful care they gave to their daughter during her short life. It helped them to go on with their lives retaining happy memories of the joy that their daughter provided.
Case Study - Nicola
Ms R was a passenger when the car she was in lost control, collided with a wall and rebounded into two parked cars. The driver of the vehicle was disqualified from driving, but this did not compensate for the life threatening head injury and psychological trauma that Ms R sustained. She developed spacticity in her legs and was therefore reliant upon a wheelchair for sixteen months after the accident. We arranged for extensive surgery and physiotherapy to enable her to walk again and regain her strength. She will require care and assistance for the rest of her life. Ms R therefore obtained over £2,500,000 in order to ensure that she would receive the ongoing care that she needed and to help her live a more independent life.
Case Study - Jason
Mr H was travelling home from work on his scooter. The next thing he remembers is the bright light of the hospital room. He woke up and was told that he had a metal bar inserted into his left leg, screws in his ankle and a metal plate across his pelvis. These additions will remain a permanent fixture in his life. Luckily, he did not sustain a severe head injury as he was wearing a crash helmet, but his memory both immediately before and after the accident is poor. However, his other physical injuries were such that he was unable to walk for a significant period of time. Approximately 5 months after the accident many hours of physiotherapy Mr H was eventually able to get in a car again as a passenger. He was extremely distressed and anxious at this, feeling that another accident was waiting to happen. We arranged for cognitive behavioural therapy for the client, which helped him to deal with his fear of travel and although he was forced to sell his motorbikes, he was eventually able to learn to drive a car again. He has also purchased a people carrier, which helps to ensure that he is mobile again.
We settled the claim for £300,000, and Mr H has recently been able to purchase his own property.
To contact a member of the Head Injury team please call us on: 0800 073 0988 or Email: info@headinjuryuk.com
