Expert Lawyers Secure Lifetime Care Package Secured For 21-Year-Old Car Crash Victim

BySuzanne Rutter

The mum of a 21-year-old man who suffered life-changing injuries when he was hit by a car as he crossed a road has spoken of her relief after expert injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell secured him a vital multi-million pound care and rehabilitation package which will help him for the rest of his life.

Lee Edge, originally from King’s Heath in Birmingham, was just 12-years-old when the driver of a car ploughed into him as he crossed A435 Alcester Road South with a group of friends in May 2004. He suffered a serious head injury and was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery.

The long-term impact of the crash means Lee struggles with poor memory, needs assistance with planning, difficulties with concentration and fatigue and finds it difficult to live his life independently without help from both his family and his support package. But despite his injuries, Lee is studying business administration at Solihull College and can now look forward to moving on with his life.

Specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have secured Lee a substantial seven figure settlement to fund the care and rehabilitation he will need for the rest of his life as well as a case manager, support worker and access to a psychologist.

The fund will be managed by Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team to help Lee to continue to access the support he needs while also continuing his college studies, after which he hopes to work in accountancy. He also hopes to one day move into his own home with appropriate support.

The settlement follows substantial interim payments secured by the law firm which enabled his family to move into a larger, rented home which was more suitable for his rehabilitation needs. This money, secured over the life span of the case also paid for the ongoing treatment and assistance Lee required.

Jonathan Betts, a partner and a serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, who is representing Lee, said: “This case shows the long-term and devastating impact road traffic collisions can have on people’s lives and we hope it proves to be a stark reminder for other motorists that they have people’s lives in their hands when they are out on the roads.

“The settlement means Lee and his family can now look forward to a positive future, knowing he has the care, support and rehabilitation he needs to have the best possible quality of life.”

Lee was just 12-years-old when the accident occurred nine years ago as he crossed the busy A435. The driver of the car lost control, skidded across the single carriageway and hit Lee who suffered a serious head injury, a fractured arm plus serious cuts and bruises.

The driver of the car was charged with driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Solihull Magistrates’ Court in January 2005 where he was fined £500 and had six points added to his licence with a further three to be added after five years.

Since the accident Lee has undergone speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and received help from neuropsychologists and psychiatrists.  The case took some time to conclude to ensure that Lee’s true long-term problems arising from the brain injury were properly identified given he was a child when the accident occurred.

Lee’s mum Sandra said it has been incredibly difficult to come to terms with Lee’s disability but the family are looking forward to moving on with their lives following the settlement.

She said: “To see him suffer such devastating injuries has been absolutely horrendous but he has bravely battled every obstacle he’s come across and I’m really proud to see him studying at college now.

“We are relieved and incredibly happy his case has now been settled so that Lee can continue to access the care and rehabilitation he needs in future. Although we will always be there to help Lee, the settlement means he can access specialist support and gives me and his dad the chance to get back to being his parents rather than his carers too.  His sister Katie, who has supported Lee and us during this difficult time, can now also concentrate on being his big sister again.”

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious head or brain injury as the result of an accident, our specialist serious injury solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Brain & Head Injury Compensation Claims page for more information.