Expert Serious Injury Lawyers Secure Seven-Figure Sum To Help Crash Victim In Future

A 24-year-old student paralysed after she was involved in a serious road traffic collision has spoken of her relief that the care and rehabilitation she will need for the rest of her life has been financially secured following the settlement of her case.

Rosie Mayes, from Gleadless in Sheffield, was just 20 when the car she was a passenger in swerved onto the wrong side of the road in December 2009 in Dronfield, Derbyshire, and collided with an embankment before overturning.

It took fire-fighters more than 30 minutes to cut Rosie free from the wreckage at the scene on Stubley Hollow, before she was rushed to hospital with a serious spinal injury.

Medical staff managed to save Rosie’s life but she was left tetraplegic with only a small amount of movement in her right bicep. She uses a wheelchair for her mobility and needs 24-hour care.

Specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell representing her have now secured Rosie a seven-figure settlement, plus annual payments for the rest of her life, to help fund the 24-hour care and rehabilitation she needs.

The settlement comes three-and-a-half years after the crash and a year after the defendants’ solicitors originally denied liability for Rosie’s horrific injuries, forcing her and her family to endure a three-day liability trial at the High Court in Leeds.

Rachael Aram, Partner, and spinal injury expert from Irwin Mitchell representing Rosie, said:

Expert Opinion

The settlement will ensure Rosie will have access to the professional care she needs for the rest of her life and we hope it gives her a sense of justice for what she’s been through as well as helping her to live as independent a life as possible.

“Rosie has been tremendously brave over the past three years and is very determined to not only be successful herself, but also to help others through fundraising and charity work.” Rachael Aram - Partner

Rosie currently lives with her parents, mum Wendy and dad Andy, in their family home, which was extended and adapted during the course of the legal claim, funded by interim payments secured by Irwin Mitchell. Her legal team also helped implement a 24-hour care package for Rosie following the crash, including therapy.

Rosie, who is now in her final year at the University of Sheffield studying history, said: “The moment the judge said we had won the case in February last year was a huge relief but getting the settlement agreement through has felt like the final milestone I’ve had to overcome. 

“Now I can finally move on, make plans for the future and decide what I want to do with my life now I know the specialist care and support I need is taken care of.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Serious Injury claims.