Motorcyclist recovers £350,000 in out of court settlement
What did we do?
Despite the fact that the defendant's insurer did not formally admit liability for the accident until January 2006, some six months after the defendant was convicted of driving without due care and attention, we were able to persuade the insurer to fund early rehabilitation from an occupational therapist. Rehabilitation assistance included the provision of physiotherapy, equipment and domestic assistance.
In bringing the claim, expert evidence was obtained from a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, consultant psychiatrist, consultant urologist, consultant gynaecologist with expertise in urinary issues, an occupational therapist and an employment consultant.
This resulted in our negotiating settlement of our client's claim, which included compensation for future loss of earnings, future surgery and medical treatment, future medication, future cost of incontinence pads and future domestic assistance.
Background
Our client sustained multiple orthopaedic injuries, psychiatric injury and a ruptured urethra with secondary permanent urinary incontinence following a motorcycle accident when a car driver turned right from a minor road into collision with her motorcycle.
The case was complicated by the fact that our client had a history of suffering from depression, and was indeed signed off work with depression prior to the accident. Also prior to the accident our client was in the process of retraining to become a mountain walk leader, but had not completed that training. We were able to obtain helpful evidence from witnesses who worked within the field of mountain walk leading, which assisted us in valuing the claim for loss of earnings.
Who dealt with the case?
This case was handled by Access Legal from Shoosmiths' Serious Injuries Team at Basingstoke, which specialises in claims arising from fatal and catastrophic injuries. As well as accurate and prompt legal advice, we also advise on rehabilitation, interim payments to help with accommodation, treatment and care, as well as financial planning.
