24.02.2015
Robert O’Dwyer suffered multiple fractures to his back and right leg, a shattered heel, a burn to his left foot, as well as severe cuts and bruises when a car that he and his wife Daria were travelling in to visit her friends and family in Poland in June 2009 was struck by another car that was overtaking.
The 45-year-old spent 20 days in hospital in Poland where he needed eight pins and a plate inserting to his broken leg and five wires to pin his heel back together, before he returned to the family home in Tredegar, Gwent. He continued to need treatment and rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy, and was required to wear his leg in a brace for 10 months meaning he couldn’t return to his job as a Dispatch Manager for a bakery for 11 months.
Robert, who was a keen marathon runner, instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him gain access to funds to cover his loss of earnings, on-going treatment as he may need further surgery in the future and to provide access to rehabilitation to assist with his recovery, including specialist orthotics. Having initially only offered a paltry sum, the insurers of the driver who ploughed into Robert’s car have finally agreed a six-figure settlement in respect of Robert’s claim.
Rachael Tucker from Irwin Mitchell, who specialises in helping victims of roads traffic collisions abroad, said: “Robert’s life has been turned upside down by the injuries he suffered and there are many physical activities, such as marathon running, which he will never be able to take part in again. This has understandably been very hard for him to come to terms with.
“Robert’s dedication to rehabilitation and positive attitude has ensured he has made a good recovery given the severity of his injuries, but he continues to suffer with regular pain and may need further surgery in future as well as rehabilitation.
“We are pleased that we have been able to secure a settlement for Robert that reflects his horrendous ordeal and the subsequent impact on his life, and we hope that the successful conclusion of his legal battle allows him to now move forward.”
Robert added: “My wife and I were travelling to see her family and out of nowhere a car ploughed into our vehicle.
“I had to have multiple procedures to try and pin my shattered bones back together, with no guarantee of success.
“The most difficult part was seeing the impact my injuries also had on my family. I had just bought my eldest daughter a bike for her birthday but I had to hold off teaching her to ride it because I wasn’t well enough. It was very unfair on her.
“I was also devastated when I realised that I would never be able to run again due to the pain it causes. Running was a big part of my life and gave me a huge sense of achievement when I completed the marathon. It’s very difficult to know I will never have that again.
“It has been a very long road to recovery which is still on-going. I may need further surgery to my leg and have been told I am likely to develop arthritis at an early age. However, the settlement that Irwin Mitchell secured for me gives me peace of mind knowing that I will have access to the best possible treatment and financial security, which helps to make up for the impact my injuries had on my career.
“Nothing can turn back the clock but I’m now looking forward to putting the ordeal behind us and looking to the future.”
International Personal Injury Lawyers Secure Six Figure Settlement To Help With Man’s On-going Recovery
A father-of-two, who suffered serious injuries after a car ploughed head-on into a vehicle he was travelling in on holiday, has spoken of his relief after international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell secured him a significant six-figure settlement to help with his on-going recovery.Robert O’Dwyer suffered multiple fractures to his back and right leg, a shattered heel, a burn to his left foot, as well as severe cuts and bruises when a car that he and his wife Daria were travelling in to visit her friends and family in Poland in June 2009 was struck by another car that was overtaking.
The 45-year-old spent 20 days in hospital in Poland where he needed eight pins and a plate inserting to his broken leg and five wires to pin his heel back together, before he returned to the family home in Tredegar, Gwent. He continued to need treatment and rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy, and was required to wear his leg in a brace for 10 months meaning he couldn’t return to his job as a Dispatch Manager for a bakery for 11 months.
Robert, who was a keen marathon runner, instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him gain access to funds to cover his loss of earnings, on-going treatment as he may need further surgery in the future and to provide access to rehabilitation to assist with his recovery, including specialist orthotics. Having initially only offered a paltry sum, the insurers of the driver who ploughed into Robert’s car have finally agreed a six-figure settlement in respect of Robert’s claim.
Rachael Tucker from Irwin Mitchell, who specialises in helping victims of roads traffic collisions abroad, said: “Robert’s life has been turned upside down by the injuries he suffered and there are many physical activities, such as marathon running, which he will never be able to take part in again. This has understandably been very hard for him to come to terms with.
“Robert’s dedication to rehabilitation and positive attitude has ensured he has made a good recovery given the severity of his injuries, but he continues to suffer with regular pain and may need further surgery in future as well as rehabilitation.
“We are pleased that we have been able to secure a settlement for Robert that reflects his horrendous ordeal and the subsequent impact on his life, and we hope that the successful conclusion of his legal battle allows him to now move forward.”
Robert added: “My wife and I were travelling to see her family and out of nowhere a car ploughed into our vehicle.
“I had to have multiple procedures to try and pin my shattered bones back together, with no guarantee of success.
“The most difficult part was seeing the impact my injuries also had on my family. I had just bought my eldest daughter a bike for her birthday but I had to hold off teaching her to ride it because I wasn’t well enough. It was very unfair on her.
“I was also devastated when I realised that I would never be able to run again due to the pain it causes. Running was a big part of my life and gave me a huge sense of achievement when I completed the marathon. It’s very difficult to know I will never have that again.
“It has been a very long road to recovery which is still on-going. I may need further surgery to my leg and have been told I am likely to develop arthritis at an early age. However, the settlement that Irwin Mitchell secured for me gives me peace of mind knowing that I will have access to the best possible treatment and financial security, which helps to make up for the impact my injuries had on my career.
“Nothing can turn back the clock but I’m now looking forward to putting the ordeal behind us and looking to the future.”
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