Expert Lawyers Secure Life-Long Care And Rehabilitation Package

A former carpenter, who suffered life-changing brain damage when his girlfriend crashed the car they were travelling in, has today thanked his friends, family and specialist rehabilitation services for all their support in helping him get his life back on track.

Robert Perfect, from Colchester in Essex, has no sense of taste or smell, severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), memory loss and lost his right big toe following the horrific crash in the early hours of 7 September 2008, when his girlfriend at the time became distracted by her mobile phone while driving.

The 34-year-old spent over two months in hospital after suffering a severe traumatic brain injury, a ruptured spleen, crushed lungs, fractures to his upper and lower back and fractured ribs, collarbone and cheekbone. He had to give up his career and his plans to buy a house of his own and has spent the last five years relying on his mum, dad and sister for support.

Robert’s mum, Sharon, instructed serious injury experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to help her son gain access to the rehabilitation and therapies he desperately needs. The firm secured interim payments to help with this and the family can now finally look to the future after Robert’s former girlfriend’s car insurance company agreed an undisclosed settlement to cover his care and rehabilitation needs for life which was approved at the High Court today (20 January).

It follows an admission of responsibility from the insurers which was approved at the High Court in London in November 2012.

The funds, which will be managed by Irwin Mitchell’s specialist in-house Court of Protection team, will pay for intensive physiotherapy and psychotherapy, allow Robert to move into his own home with support, and cover his loss of earnings, as he’s had to give up his job as a carpenter.

Lauren Hurney, a serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell’s London office is acting on behalf of Robert.

Expert Opinion

This was a horrific crash that has seen a man who was in the prime of his life robbed of his independence and struggling to come to terms with the fact his life will never be the same again.

“Robert’s family have shown huge dedication, patience and love by helping him with his recovery. The accident has had a huge impact on their lives as well as his, but to give him the best possible chance of one day being able to live independently and try and build a family of his own, he needs specialist support.

“The settlement means Robert can finally look to the future and gives his family peace of mind that he will always have access to the best possible care and rehabilitation services.

“Robert’s injuries show the horrendous consequences that can occur by drivers getting distracted by their mobile phone and prove that the current laws to prevent drivers using them are in place for a reason.”
Lauren Hurney - Partner

The crash happened when Robert’s girlfriend was driving her and Robert to her brother’s house along the A12 and reached for her mobile phone on the dashboard as it rang. She veered across the dual carriageway and lost control of the car, sending it crashing into the central reservation and rolling several times down the road.

She was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention and using a vehicle without third party insurance and fined £250, ordered to pay costs of £15 and given eight points on her licence.

Robert said: “The settlement agreed will now help me to move forward with my life. I would like to thank everyone that has helped me over the past few years, especially my family and friends - without them I would not be where I am today.

“Gym work has aided my recovery, initially Headway Essex Community helped put me in touch with a local gym and I continue to attend classes to improve my fitness, balance and stamina.

“Another huge help is Mason, my black Labrador-Retriever, who I was introduced to through Canine Partners, a fantastic charity for people with disabilities. He is my companion and a reason to get out of bed in the mornings.

“I also now present a radio show at Radio Wivenhoe called ‘The Back Room’ and the radio station holds regular fundraising events which I support. I recently attended Colchester Institute for two years to study music technology this helped give me a focus and a structure to my days.”