Family Instructs Irwin Mitchell To Help Son Gain Access To Treatments

A young man, who suffered permanent brain damage when he was knocked down as a child, has received a £19 million settlement which will provide him with the specialist care he now needs for the rest of his life.

The 23-year-old suffered a number of serious injuries when he was hit by a driver who was using a bus lane to undertake stationary traffic, whilst making his way across the A13 in East London.

Following the accident his family’s legal team at Irwin Mitchell secured the boy’s family a number of interim payments to help with his recovery whilst doctors tried to establish the extent to which he would overcome his injuries.

Now, after it was established that the man, from Tower Hamlets, would require specialist help for the rest of his life, the driver’s insurance company has agreed to a settlement of £19 million. The settlement has been approved at a hearing today in the High Court. The insurance company had admitted liability in 2005.

The money will help pay for vital therapies and brain injury support workers the man will need as well as compensate for the fact it is very unlikely he will ever be able to work.

Expert Opinion

Like in many cases where a person suffers a brain injury as a child, our client has had to wait many years for doctors to fully establish the true extent of his injuries and the scale of his recovery. This settlement has been carefully calculated to provide for his care needs for the rest of his life.

“While we are pleased with the outcome of today’s hearing, no amount of money can ever make up for the severe and lifelong injuries my client has suffered. The family would rather not be in this situation at all.

“Our client’s case vividly highlights the consequences that families can be left to deal with because of drivers not paying attention. We urge motorists to take care on the roads at all times so other families don’t have to suffer the pain and hurt that our client and his family have, and will continue to face, through no fault of their own.” Lauren Hurney - Partner

The collision happened in East India Dock Road in June 2002, when the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was aged seven. He also suffered a double leg break and internal injuries.

He was taken to Royal London Hospital and later transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital. The boy spent several weeks in a coma. He was discharged from hospital four months later.

Throughout his childhood the boy suffered behavioural, mobility, stamina and fatigue problems as well as dizziness and severe headaches. He continues to experience these problems.

His father said: “Before the accident my son was doing very well at school, especially in maths and reading, and was sporty. Obviously it is difficult for me to say how he would be now if the accident had not happened as he was only a child, but there was a very definite change in him when he came out of hospital.

“While the last 15 years have been extremely hard for us all as a family, we try to lead as normal a life as possible and do the things any family would enjoy. However, it can be difficult feeling that your child has not fulfilled their potential because of the actions of someone else.

“While nothing can turn the clock back or make up for what has happened, we are relieved that he is now guaranteed to receive the lifetime of care he so desperately needs.

“We just hope that no other family has to go through the suffering we have been through and that our story acts a warning to drivers to take care.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury cases.