Dad-Of-Three Makes ‘Remarkable’ Progress With Recovery After Serious Injury Lawyers Instructed To Help Him Access Rehabilitation

The mum of a sous chef who suffered life-changing brain damage when he was knocked down by a hit and run driver outside a pub have revealed how he’s making progress with his recovery.

Dad-of-three Gary Burvill sustained a catalogue of serious injuries including a brain injury, leg fractures and ruptured ligaments, when a car mounted the pavement and crashed into him in Eastwood, Southend.

Gary spends more than a year in hospital

Gary, 32, remained in hospital for more than a year, spending almost four months in the Royal London Hospital before being transferred to the Homerton Hospital. 

While in hospital, Gary underwent two craniectomies and a cranioplasty and also developed post-traumatic hydrocephalus and pneumonia which required treatment. 

Gary was in a minimally conscious state for eight months following the collision and has since required extensive care and rehabilitation support to enable him to relearn a number of basic skills, including walking.

Parents Graham and Jackie ask serious injury lawyers to help their son access rehabilitation he requires

Following the incident, in February 2022, Gary’s parents Graham and Jackie Burvill, aged 65 and 61, instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help their son access the specialist rehabilitation and therapies he requires to help him live as independently as possible.

Gary’s family are now joining with their legal team in marking Road Safety Week to warn of the consequences of dangerous driving.

It comes after the driver was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.  In September he was jailed for four years and handed a five-year driving ban with a mandatory retest.

Expert Opinion

“Coming to terms with the truly catastrophic injuries which are likely to impact Gary for the rest of his life has been incredibly difficult for all the family.

“Through our work, we far too often see how innocent people can be left facing devastating consequences because of the dangerous actions of others.

“While Gary has made remarkable progress with his recovery through early access to rehabilitation, he still faces many challenges ahead. We’re determined to support Jackie and Graham so their son can maximise his recovery to live as independently as possible.

“Jackie and Graham wanted to share their son’s story to act as a warning. What happened to him is a stark reminder of the need for everyone to take care on the roads at all times.” Sarah Griggs

Brain injury: Gary Burvill's story

Gary was standing on the pavement on Rayleigh Road on 6 February, 2022, when the driver pulled out of The Oakwood pub car park, drove across the pavement and hit him. The driver then fled the scene by driving down the wrong side of the road.

Due to his injuries, Gary, who was a sous chef at the time, can no longer work.

He has and continues to receive neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy support. He has relearnt how to communicate with his family, feed himself and walk, although he is currently only able to walk very short distances inside. He continues to receive rehabilitation and has started to make visits home and spend more time with his family.

Gary has three children – Lara, 13, Alexis, 11, and Leo, two. 

Gary's parents reveal impact collision has had on family as they support Road Safety Week

Jackie, an office manager, said: “Before the crash, Gary was doing well in his job and loved nothing more than spending time with his children.

“What happened to him that night changed everything. It’s been heart-breaking to see him struggle to do the things we all take for granted and be reliant on others for so many aspects of his life.

“While nothing will ever make up for what he’s been put through, we’re so proud of the bravery he’s shown and the recovery he’s making through his rehabilitation.  We couldn’t be prouder of him.

“To know that he will never work again is upsetting however, as we know how much he enjoyed being a chef. However, we know we’re lucky that he’s still here with us.  

“We just hope that by sharing our story, we can make others aware of what can happen when you break the law. The driver that night was driving dangerously, and because of him Gary’s life was ruined in a split second.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people access specialist support and rehabilitation following a road collision at our dedicated serious injury section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.

Road Safety Week, organised by charity Brake, runs from 19 to 25 November. More information is available on the Brake website.