Paralysed Schoolgirl in line for £2 million BT payout
Paralysis caused by brain damage
11/05/2006
The parents of a brain damaged school girl have won a four year struggle to get telecommunications company BT to payout for the road accident which left her unable to move or speak.
Ashleigh Cowen, now 16 was left fighting for her life when she was struck by a BT van after getting off the school bus on May 30, 2002 causing brain damage and paralysis.
In a judgement at Newcastle High Court today the settlement was approved at £2.2 million. Had Ashleigh not been partly to blame for her accident she would have won nearly £5 million in damages.
Irwin Mitchell solicitors who represent the Cowen family issued proceedings against BT who admitted partial liability on behalf of the driver but had initially denied he was to blame for the accident on St Bennet’s Way, in Chester-le-Street.
Paralysis accident claim
Ashleigh was crossing the road with her sister Nicola when she was knocked down. Her sister was unhurt but left traumatised.
After 18 months of operations, physiotherapy and perseverance Ashleigh returned to a specially adapted home in March 2004 but will continue to need specialist care for the rest of her life.
Ashleigh’s mother a former customer service manager was forced to give up work to care for her. Michelle, 41 said: “The judgement has come as such a relief to us. We would give anything to have Ashleigh back the way she was, but we want her to get the best possible care and make sure she will be provided for in the future.
“The past four years have been extremely hard because it has obviously changed our whole lives.
“This money will help Ashleigh with day-to-day living. With a disability there is always something you need and it is very costly.”
After years of emotional and financial struggle the compensation payout means the Cowen’s will be able to buy specialist equipment and 24 hour nursing care for their daughter.
Ashleigh’s only means of communicating with her family is through blinking. One piece of equipment they are looking to buy is a computer that would track Ashleigh’s eye movements enabling her to communicate in more detail.
Dad Michael 47 added: “We just want her to be able to talk to us again. To tell us how she feels, to tell us when she is sad and when she is happy. She used to be a real little chatterbox and we can only hope she will speak to us again one day.”
Paralysis caused by brain damage solicitor
On hearing the judgement today, the family’s solicitor John Davis of Irwin Mitchell said: “Today is a day of celebration for the family after going through an extremely traumatic time.
“The accident devastated the family’s lives and this settlement will enable Ashleigh to receive the quality of care she deserves. I would like to offer my best wishes to Ashleigh and her family for the future.”
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