Our client, SJ, was knocked down by a car in 2000 as he crossed the road on a pedestrian crossing. He was 13 years old at the time. He suffered multiple fractures and a brain injury that would continue to have serious consequences into his adult life.
After the accident, SJ developed problems with planning and organisation; his memory and concentration were affected, and he became susceptible to anger and irritability. In addition to this, he also suffered with fatigue, stress and anxiety.
He struggled when he returned to school and did not get the GCSE grades he was hoping for. Although he enrolled on a number of courses, work placements and apprenticeships, they failed to work out because of his ongoing problems.
We took on SJ’s case in 2011 after his previous solicitors had disclosed evidence that was unhelpful to his case and advised him to accept an early settlement that didn’t take into consideration the extent of his brain injury and the repercussions it would have for the rest of his life.
Our expert Serious Injury team in Leeds gathered fresh evidence to support SJ’s claim and advised him against this initial settlement. We secured interim funds to provide SJ with a case manager and neuro-psychological treatment to help him work towards his goals of becoming more independent – namely, learning to drive, improving his physical fitness and securing employment.
We successfully negotiated a substantially higher settlement than the one SJ had been offered first, including contributions towards future case management, therapy and loss of earnings.
SJ eventually secured an apprenticeship as a delivery driver and after some initial difficulties was made permanent. Although he suffers significant difficulties with fatigue and anxiety, he consistently took a stoical approach to work, persisting in his ambition to work full time.
He was represented by Leeds-based lawyer Martha Sweet. She said: “Given SJ’s young age when he was injured, the litigation has been a long and sometimes difficult process for him. Despite his struggles, he has maintained a positive, tenacious approach to work, often at the expense of other areas of his life. He can now move on with his life with the assurance that he has a sum of money to assist him during times of difficulty in future.”
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