Lawyers Instructed To Help Man Secure Long-Term Financial Support To Aid Recovery

A man who may never be able to return to full-time work after suffering a life-changing spinal injury when a car pulled out into his vehicle’s path on a Kent road last year has called on all road users to make safety their priority.

The call comes as specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell begin work to secure financial support to aid his rehabilitation and recovery from the crash.

Michael Hoath, from Doncaster, needed metal rods inserting into his back to support his fractured spine following the crash on March 9th 2014, when the vehicle pulled out in front of him as he travelled along the A20 near Lenham with his partner.

More than 12 months on from the incident, the 45-year-old railway conductor continues to require physiotherapy and has only recently been able to return to work in phased capacity as a result of the serious injuries he suffered.

The other driver involved in the crash was convicted of driving without due care and attention in February this year, receiving six penalty points on her driving licence and being order to pay a £70 fine and costs.

Now, after instructing specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him gain vital financial support to aid his continued rehabilitation, Mr Hoath has revealed how he is trying to come to terms with how the devastating incident has affected his life.

Mr Hoath, 45, was visiting his partner Trevor in Kent in March last year when the incident occurred.

He recalls: “We were travelling along the A20 and suddenly this car just pulled out of a side road and stopped in the middle of the road – everything happened so quickly that it was just impossible to avoid a collision.”

Following the incident, Mr Hoath and his partner were taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent then transferred to Kings College Hospital for specialised surgical treatment. While Trevor suffered soft tissue injuries in the incident, Mr Hoath needed surgery and metal rods to be inserted as part of treatment for a fracture to his lumbar spine.

During his five days in hospital, he also developed an infection and required further surgery on an abscess which formed in the wound.

He said: “Due to my injuries I was unable to return back home to Doncaster for 7 months and I needed to take eight months in total off work. I continue to receive physiotherapy and have only just gone back to work in a phased capacity, but am really worried I may not be able to continue.

“The injuries I suffered in the crash mean I now have major mobility issues. I struggle with heavy lifting and I’m also unable to walk or stand comfortably for long periods of time. I’m just massively frustrated by how this whole incident has affected my life and would urge all motorists to take absolute care on the roads.

“I wouldn’t wish what I have been through on my worst enemy and can only call on drivers to always make road safety their number one priority.”

Our expert serious injury solicitors will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved one has suffered a serious spinal injury. See our Spinal Injury Compensation Claims page for more information.