In Summer 2022, Ross, a young man in his 20s, suffered multiple serious injuries when he was hit by a car. Although the impact was at low speed, the car hit him in such a way that caused him to suffer multiple injuries to his right leg.

Injuries sustained

Ross suffered a twisting injury to his knee, which medical evidence suggested may result in a full knee replacement being required as he reaches middle age. In addition, Ross suffered:

• a fractured tibia;
• ligament damage to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps to stabilise the knee joint;
• damage to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), a thin band of tissue that runs along the outside of the knee;
• a tear to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), a ligament on the inner side of the knee joint, which connects the femur to the tibia;
• a posterolateral corner traumatic knee injury which is associated with lateral knee instability; and
• psychological injury causing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression.

The process

Ross instructed a law firm in our network soon after the collision occurred, under a conditional fee agreement (CFA), which meant that if the case were unsuccessful, he would not be liable for his solicitors’ time costs.

Once all the information had been gathered about the collision circumstances, Ross’ injuries, and the prognosis for making a full recovery, his lawyers began negotiations with the driver’s insurance company to reach settlement. Liability for the collision was admitted early on by the car driver and so an interim payment was secured, which was used to fund early rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation

In this case, Ross needed extensive physiotherapy for his physical injuries to help him make the best recovery possible. His psychological injuries were also addressed via the instruction of a psychologist, funded by the interim payment received from the driver’s insurance company.

Many years of underfunding of our NHS has resulted in rehabilitation being a postcode lottery, with good rehabilitation provision being available in some areas, and poor provision in other areas. The ability to fund rehabilitation privately meant that Ross received rehabilitation early on in his recovery journey, enabling him to make the best recovery from his injuries.

Future care

As medical evidence suggested Ross would need a full knee replacement as he reached middle age, this was included within the claim, which will enable him to have the operation done via private medical care, when the time arrives.

Settlement

Our member firm worked closely with the insurers of the car driver, and their legal advisers, and reached agreement to settle Ross’ claim in the sum of £350,000, without the need to attend Court.

This sum compensates for the pain and suffering caused by the collision, the loss of earnings whilst he was unable to work when recovering from his injuries, the cost of rehabilitation and the cost of any future private medical care needed if he does indeed need a full knee replacement.

How can we help?

Major Trauma Group is a not-for-profit organisation, with a network of serious injury lawyers who cover the whole of England and Wales. Generally, our network of lawyers will be able to assist those injured in an accident that was not their fault, on a conditional fee agreement basis, also known as a no win no fee agreement. If you would like a free, no obligation chat, when all funding options will be clearly explained to you, please contact us via email (hello@majortraumagroup.co.uk) or telephone 0330 311 2578.

Names and certain other information has been changed to protect the clients identity.