Court Ruling Comes After Man Instructs Expert Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell

A passenger seriously hurt in an aircraft crash has secured a legal victory allowing him to seek funds to help pay for his continued rehabilitation.

Michael Foreman suffered multiple injuries including several spinal fractures, a fractured chest bone and a number of broken bones in his feet when a microlight aircraft plummeted around 100 feet to the ground when the engine cut out.
 
A small fire broke out and witnesses dragged Michael clear of the wreckage.

He was forced to undergo surgery on his broken bones. He still suffers mobility problems and found it difficult to return to flying following the crash which happened at Shifnal Airfield in Shropshire in July 2015.

Michael, aged 55, from Telford, Shropshire, has instructed expert specialist injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help secure funds to help boost his recovery.

His legal team has now won a High Court case allowing Michael to seek a payment towards his rehabilitation from the aircraft’s pilot Graham Williams.

Angela Batchelor, specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Michael, said: “Although Michael was very fortunate not to be killed in the crash he suffered extensive injuries which have had a profound effect on his life.

“Michael has made great progress in his recovery, but more than two years after the incident, he still suffers from mobility issues, pain and discomfort.

“We welcome today’s verdict and we now hope that we can assist Michael in moving forwards with his life.”

The 2006 built Rans microlight Michael was a passenger in had flown four successful circuits of the airfield before the crash, according to an Air Accident Investigation Branch report.

However, shortly after take-off on its fifth flight, the microlight suffered an “uncommanded loss of engine rpm” and “struck the ground in a steep nose-down attitude,” it added.

The report also found that Mr Williams, who had 282 hours’ flying experience, had owned the microlight for around two weeks before the crash. The pilot had carried out checks on the aircraft on the day and the microlight had had a 100 hour inspection 18 days earlier.

“There was no evidence of a pre-existing defect within the engine, its controls or fuel supply which would have prevented the engine from operating normally,” air crash investigators found.

Mr Williams, 66, did not attend the hearing as he has moved to Spain following the crash and has failed to engage in the legal process.

Michael said: “The accident has had a profound effect on me both physically and psychologically. Life has been really difficult since the crash.

“However, I’m trying to remain positive and hopefully today will provide me with another boost to focus on the future.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury cases.