Richard Taylor was just 19 years old when he was involved in a work accident on 21 February 2005 that left him severely paralysed and wheelchair dependent.
Richard was working as a bin man when the accident happened. Richard’s team leader instructed the driver of the refuse collection lorry to perform a "load shift", which entailed driving at high speed around the corner of a residential street in order to dislodge the accumulated rubbish at the back of the vehicle. As the vehicle turned the corner, the entire lorry toppled over. Richard suffered catastrophic spinal cord injuries when his colleague fell on to him.
After the accident, Richard was initially treated at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham but he was quickly transferred to the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries in Oswestry where he received specialist care and rehabilitation. Richard was discharged from the spinal unit 7 months after his accident.
Whilst in hospital, Richard instructed the Birmingham office of Irwin Mitchell, specialist personal injury lawyers, to pursue a claim for spinal cord injury compensation.
Richard’s team of solicitors, all of whom were spinal cord injury specialists, were aware of the urgent needs for equipment and accommodation that Richard had. Prior to his accident, Richard had been living with his father in a property that was impossible for him to access in his wheelchair. Before Richard had been discharged from hospital, his solicitors had managed to secure an interim payment of £500,000 which enabled Richard to purchase his own bungalow where he could live with his full time care team.
The interim payment also enabled Richard to purchase his own suitable wheelchair and a vehicle in which he could travel comfortably without needing to transfer. Upon discharge from hospital, the interim payment also enabled Richard to access private hydrotherapy and physiotherapy to continue his rehabilitation.
Spinal Injury Compensation
Richard’s claim settled in November 2006 for £3.75m in compensation. This sum will provide for Richard’s long term needs and will give him, and his family, the peace of mind from knowing that his financial future has been secured. Richard can now focus on living a full, independent and active live.
Stuart Henderson, partner in the Birmingham office at Irwin Mitchell and head of Richard’s legal team said "I would like to pay tribute to Richard and his family. He comes from a very close and loving family and the way in which he has built his new life has been an inspiration to us all."
Richard Taylor said "After my accident I quickly began to realise that life would never be the same again. However, thanks to the financial settlement that my lawyers achieved for me, I have been able to purchase and fully adapt my own bungalow and I have been able to secure a wide range of aids and equipment that help me to live an independent life. And the positive thing about being in a wheelchair? I get a better seat at Old Trafford!"
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious back or spinal cord injury as the result of an accident, our specialist serious injury solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Spinal Injury Claims page for more information.
Back to Client Stories
