A spinal injury motorcycle accident case study

Tom's story

The client, Tom, who had been a Sergeant Major in the Army, and had fought in the Gulf War, was involved in a serious road traffic accident. He was on his motorcycle on a main road when a car attempted to turn right into a junction. Tom suffered a very serious spinal injury affecting all four of his major limbs (tetraplegia). He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery to stabilise the fracture to his spine. He was then taken to a specialist spinal centre where he remained an in-patient for 7 months.

During this time, he underwent rehabilitation, and one of our senior spinal injury lawyers coordinated his legal claim. Liability was established against the other driver, and substantial interim payments were obtained. These were used to adapt Tom’s bungalow by installing ramps, a disabled bathroom, a specially designed kitchen with low level work tops, a redesigned bedroom to incorporate a hoist, repositioned light switches, amended garage and driveway facilities, amended access ways and all other necessary work. A specialised electric wheelchair was purchased to enable Tom to be mobile, despite the loss of the use of his arms and legs, and which enabled control through a remote device and the use of his fingers.

A specially adapted motor vehicle was purchased, to enable Tom to drive himself and his wife about, utilising special disabled controls whilst sitting in his wheelchair, and to enter and leave the vehicle through a ramp which he could operate by remote control. 24 hour nursing care in his home was put in place. Once a final opinion had been obtained from the medical team, we were able to settle his claim for substantial damages and ensure his financial security in the future.

The relationship between Tom and the legal team who acted for him remains in place, notwithstanding the fact that his claim has been concluded. It is a relationship of trust and friendship. Tom has offered his assistance to us and to other seriously injured people to help to ensure that only properly experienced and highly specialised lawyers deal with cases such as his own. He has appeared in television and press commercials on our behalf, demonstrating how he gets about and the fact that, notwithstanding such a traumatic experience occurring in a persons life, there is hope for the future.

If you would like to contact one of our specialised spinal injury lawyers please call us on 0800 61 66 81, or use the contact details at the top left of this page.