Serious Injury Lawyers Secured 24-Hour Care And Vital Rehabilitation For Woman Left Tetraplegic

At the age of 20, most people are focusing on exams, nightclubs and the latest fashion.  But for university student Rosie Mayes, life was about to take a dramatic turn. 

During a trip home for Christmas, Rosie, from Hollinsend, Sheffield, was involved in a car accident which left her tetraplegic – paralysed in both her arms and legs.  From then, she knew that her life had changed forever.

She spent nine months in hospital, having to relearn a number of skills including speaking.  After a discussion with staff on the spinal injuries unit, Rosie’s dad Andy Wynne instructed serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell to support their family and help Rosie access the specialist care and therapies she requires as part of her rehabilitation.

The legal team went on to successfully secure Rosie, now 32, a lifelong package incorporating 24-hour care and vital rehabilitation.  She has also benefitted from expert advice and information provided by the Spinal Injuries Association.

Rosie is now sharing her story as part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day on May 13, in a bid to help inspire others affected by spinal injuries.

Expert Opinion

“I’ve had the privilege to get to know Rosie over many years, and she has developed into such a positive and confident young woman despite the terrible trauma she’s had to endure and the daily challenges she faces.

Through our work, we sadly come across many people who have suffered life-changing injuries and had their world turned upside down.

Rosie, however, has defied the odds and doesn’t let her injuries stop her from living her life to the full as best she can.

Serious injuries can have a huge impact on people and their family, but Rosie is proof that people can continue to flourish with the right care and support.

Rosie’s an inspiration and has put her all into her rehabilitation. It’s fantastic to see how well she’s progressing and we’ll continue to support her and her family as she continues with her recovery.”
Stacy Clements - Associate Solicitor

Prior to the accident, Rosie enjoyed living with the friends she had met at York University, where she was studying for a degree in history.  In her spare time, she would travel home to see her family and go out to clubs and gigs with old school friends.

Just three days before Christmas in 2009, Rosie was a passenger in a car being driven through Dronfield in Derbyshire when it veered on to the wrong side of the road, collided with an embankment and flipped.

Rosie sustained catastrophic injuries, and firefighters took more than 30 minutes to cut her free from the vehicle.  She spent 12 days in intensive care over Christmas, and remained in hospital for nine months.

During that time, Rosie found one of her biggest challenges to be learning to speak again, particularly after having a tube fitted to help her breathe following a chest infection.

She said: “That felt very isolating, being stuck in a bed unable to more or speak.  When I was able to have the tube removed, I was so excited to be able to speak to my friends again.”

Following Rosie’s discharge from hospital, the family’s legal team at Irwin Mitchell helped secure interim payments to fund the 24-hour care Rosie needed, as well as physiotherapy.  The family also had to move into adapted accommodation.

Rosie explained: “After the accident, I knew my life would be different and my needs and priorities would change.  It was very overwhelming at first and incredibly difficult to take in, but I was determined to get my independence back.”

The lawyers went on to secure a settlement for Rosie, which she described as “an enormous relief.”  With the assistance of the firm’s Asset Management team, it allowed her to continue her rehabilitation without having to worry about the cost.

As her recovery progressed, Rosie went on to regain some use of her arms, relearned how to use a touch screen phone and has adapted pens to help her write.  She also returned to studying, completing her history degree at Sheffield University.

With the help of her financial support team, in 2016 she refurbished a villa in La Manga Club which became the only property in the resort suitable for wheelchair users.

More than 12 years on from the accident, Rosie regularly reflects on her achievements which she calls her “small milestones.”  One of her happiest moments was being able to sign her own name again.

Rosie is now looking forward to moving into her own house, which is being built to suit her needs.  She will be joined by her golden doodle Daisy, who she says keeps her active.

She also still enjoys attending gigs with her friends, adding: “My friends and family have always been there to keep my spirits up and keep me motivated.  They know me and the life I lived before my injury, and they also know I’m just the same person now – the only difference is in my abilities.”

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