Access Legal from Shoosmiths obtained compensation for our client, who suffered multiple injuries and scarring following a road traffic accident.

Background

The accident happened as our client was travelling round a bend on a single lane carriageway.

The defendant, travelling in the opposite direction in an HGV, crossed the central white line whilst negotiating the bend, colliding with our client's vehicle, sending it spinning out of control. Our client's vehicle was written-off.

Our client suffered severe lacerations to her legs, internal injuries, major nerve and muscle damage, extensive scarring to the legs and arms, and a dent to her forehead. She also sustained psychological symptoms, panic attacks, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, for which she was prescribed medication.

What we did

We obtained medical evidence from an orthopaedic expert, psychiatrist and plastic surgeon to document our client's injuries. 

We also compiled a schedule of loss to include our client's past and future losses.

At the time of the accident our client had been carrying out administration work in order to build up capital so she could pursue her career as a professional actress/dancer following completion of her degree.

As a result of the accident, our client's career was delayed by approximately three years. In order to regain her confidence following her accident and injuries, she underwent a refresher course before going on to commence a successful career in her chosen profession. As a result of this, in addition to claiming for past and future losses, we also claimed a sum for the loss of opportunity our client sustained in having to delay her career. 

Although proceedings had already been issued in the matter, we managed to secure an agreement on settlement prior to a court hearing.

How did it help?

We secured £57,000 for our client in compensation for her injuries and past and future financial losses.

The past losses included physiotherapy payments, travel expenses, camouflage make-up to disguise the forehead scarring, medication, consultation fees paid both by the client and by her private healthcare provider, and loss of earnings.

The inclusion of a claim for future losses was to assist the client in paying for the ongoing cosmetic injections required for the injury to her forehead and revision surgery required for her ankle injury, as well as the resulting loss of earnings for such surgery.

Case handler

The case was handled by Gillian Jones, a solicitor in the Mixed Liability Department at our Basingstoke office. She has more than six years' experience with personal injury claims. Her main areas of expertise include accidents at work, accidents in public places, and fatal accident claims.

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