Lawyers Help Business Owner Secure Settlement Regarding ‘Nightmare’

A Bradford woman seriously injured in a quad bike crash in Crete has teamed up with legal experts to emphasise the importance of having the right insurance in place when hiring vehicles or enjoying other activities abroad.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Serious Injury team provide support to a range of holidaymakers injured in incidents abroad, with many cases revolving around the hiring of vehicles and other special activities and excursions.

One relates to Mandy Symonds, 56, who was thrown from a quad bike she had hired while on holiday. She suffered a host of injuries including spinal fractures, fractured ribs as well as a broken collarbone and wrist and a collapsed lung.

She instructed Irwin Mitchell to pursue a claim for compensation for the injuries and financial losses she sustained, with the legal experts securing a significant settlement sum for Mandy to cover a sum to reflect her pain and suffering alongside her loss of earnings and the cost of her future treatments.

As a result, Mandy and Irwin Mitchell are urging holidaymakers to learn lessons from her case and always ensure they are covered by insurance if they hire any kind of vehicle abroad and to check what that insurance covers.   Mandy was fortunate to be covered by insurance in this instance, but that is not always the case.

Expert Opinion

“Holidays are an opportunity to relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. However, it is hugely important that we still take steps to stay protected in any given situation, including scenarios where we might be trying something for the first time.” Cheryl Palmer-Hughes - Partner and Head of our International Serious Injury Desk

Allison Slingo, who worked closely with Mandy to secure her settlement, added “Mandy’s case highlights the dangers that can arise when hiring vehicles like quad bikes, as well as the importance of having insurance in place. Thanks to the latter, we were able to ensure that Mandy could get the support she requires.

“Holidaymakers should not underestimate the importance of such issues and we would urge people to take notice of a case like this.”

Mandy and her husband Chris, 57, of Queensbury, were coming to the end of their holiday on Crete when the incident occurred. They were keen to explore the island and decided to hire a quad bike to visit some nearby beaches.

Mandy was a pillion passenger on the bike being ridden by Chris when the incident happened.

She recalled: “Chris had a test drive, although neither of us was asked about our level of experience.

“We wore helmets and around 15 minutes into the ride, I was thrown to the roadside and was later told I was wrapped around a post.”

Mandy, who has run her own wax melt business since she retired from a nursing career, was taken to a local hospital and diagnosed with injuries including fractured ribs, a punctured lung and a broken collarbone. She spent 10 days in hospital before being deemed fit to fly home by doctors.

However, her condition deteriorated on the flight, When she landed at Leeds Bradford Airport she was blue-lighted to Leeds General Infirmary where doctors admitted her to intensive care. They found blood in the area around her collapsed lung, which was affecting her breathing, and fractures to her vertebrae.

Mandy added: “The injuries have taken a massive physical and psychological toll on me. I needed various surgeries including on my collarbone and I have also had issues with my wrist and back. Having to deal with the pain and discomfort constantly has meant that I am generally more tired as well and for a long time I was unable to carry out simple day to day tasks such as cleaning and shopping. The incident also massively disrupted my wax melt business and I had to shut down for several months as I attempted to recover.

“It has just been a nightmare experience, but I feel fortunate that we had the right insurance in place with the quad bike company. This settlement will help me move forward with my recovery, so that does offer a crumb of comfort. I really would urge anyone thinking of hiring a quad bike to always consider insurance, while they should also use a trustworthy and reputable provider too.”