Serious Injury Lawyers Help To Secure Interim Payments For Rehabilitation

A young forestry worker who has been forced to give up the profession he loved after suffering devastating injuries in a head-on car crash has spoken of his relief after serious injury lawyers secured him access to vital rehabilitation funds.

Luke Cousins, from Malton, was driving home on a country road on 1 October 2013 when another car which was overtaking a tractor and was on the wrong side of the road crashed into him head-on, causing him to suffer two broken ankles and serious injuries to his stomach. 

The 21-year-old spent a week in Scarborough General Infirmary for treatment but the fractures to his ankles were so severe he ended up in a wheelchair as he was unable to bear weight on his feet for seven weeks, and then had to use crutches for two months. He was forced to give up his beloved job as a forester that he had trained for four years to do. The injuries to his stomach also left him with on-going bladder problems.

Luke instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his case and he has now received an interim payment to help fund his rehabilitation treatment following an admission of liability from the driver’s insurer. 

The driver was given a £450 fine and seven points on her license in April 2014 at North Allerton Court after being found guilty of driving without due care and attention.

Elizabeth Whitehead, a specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Luke, said:

Expert Opinion

“For a young man of Luke’s age to be faced with the prospect of giving up the career he has studied and trained to do all of his life is unimaginable. He has been left with serious injuries which may affect him for the rest of his life.

“We are pleased that we have secured him an interim payment to help him along the way with his recovery and rehabilitation. We will continue to work towards securing a settlement for Luke which will cover his loss of earnings and help him rebuild his life.

“This case highlights the devastating consequences of not paying attention on the roads and we hope this case acts as a reminder to all roads users about the importance of remaining vigilant to protect everyone’s safety.” Liz Whitehead - Team Leader & Senior Associate

Luke had to move back home with his parents as he was in a shared house with friends and could not care for himself as he needed to use a wheelchair. 

Recalling the accident, Luke, who still has to take strong painkillers to help ease his on-going symptoms, said: “It was absolutely terrifying; as I drove along the road I noticed a car in the distance overtaking the tractor on the other side, so I slowed down and the overtaking car swerved back onto their side of the road in time. There was another car immediately behind it and I desperately tried to swerve my car but there was nothing I could do and she crashed straight into me.

“After that it was all a bit of blur, I remember pulling my feet out the totally crushed foot well and the searing pain I could feel up my legs. Luckily I had slip on shoes, so I could wriggle them free but as soon as my car door was pulled opened by paramedics I couldn’t put any weight on my ankles or stand up.

“I am still coming to terms with the accident. I still suffer from flashbacks and nightmares, but I have struggled most with the fact that I might not be able to get back to the job that I love and that I have spent so many years training to succeed. It’s been very hard to accept that my life will never be the same again.

“However, the interim payment arranged by my legal team does give me some hope that with further treatment, one day I will be able to return to the career I am passionate about and regain the quality of life I once had.

“I would like to thank all of the people who pulled over to help me when I had the accident and also to all of the medical staff who have helped me throughout this ordeal from the paramedics to the staff at the hospital – I am so grateful for everything they have done for me.”

If you or a loved has been seriously injured in a road traffic accident, ourserious injury solicitors could help you to claim compensation. Visit our Car Accident Claims page for more information.