Specialist Lawyers Issue Court Proceedings To Help Woman Access Compensation

A woman who was left with life-changing injuries when she was struck by a car during her honeymoon in Spain is continuing her recovery battle.

Expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have now issued official court proceedings in a bid to help her access the funds she needs for compensation and rehabilitation.

Joanna Rose, 38, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire was catapulted into the air when she was struck by a vehicle during her honeymoon with husband, Andrew, in Torrevejca in July 2014.

She suffered a number of serious injuries, including a fractured spine, five broken ribs, internal bleeding and a significant number of cuts and bruises due to the force of the impact.

She instructed expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the accident and help obtain funds that would help her with her recovery.

The specialist lawyers have secured Joanna interim payments to help with some of the costs of rehabilitation, physiotherapy and counselling that she has required, as well as arranging for a dedicated case manager to assist Joanna with her treatment plans and her finances.

The international personal injury lawyers have now issued formal court proceedings against the Spanish driver’s insurers, Pelayo Mutua de Seguros, in a bid to secure Joanna a fair settlement that will allow her to continue her road to recovery, cover the costs of the pain and suffering she has endured, as well as secure her financial future, as she has not been able to continue with the business that she set up shortly before the accident.

Phil Banks, a Partner and expert international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

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“We have been working very closely with Joanna since the terrible injuries she suffered during her honeymoon, which obviously marred her and Andrew’s start to married life. We have managed to secure interim payments that have enabled her to make progress in her recovery.

“However, she still requires rehabilitation to complete her recovery and still faces the prospect of spinal surgery. She has been unable to return to the role she once had of running her own business, which is understandably causing her a great deal of stress and anxiety.

“We have now issued formal court proceedings against the Spanish driver’s insurers, Pelayo Mutua de Seguros, which has admitted liability for the accident and injuries Joanna suffered. We hope now to be able to agree a fair settlement that will help secure her financial future as well as ensuring she can continue to access the help and support she requires to continue her recovery.” Philip Banks - Partner

After the accident Joanna was rushed to a hospital in Torrevejca where she stayed for two weeks before being transferred back to the UK to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. For a number of months she was required to wear a full body brace and faces surgery to insert pins in her spine to stabilise it.

A criminal prosecution of the driver in Spain sentenced him to 3 months and 1 day in prison. 

Joanna, a mother-of-one, said: “I really have been to hell and back since my honeymoon. It was supposed to be a fantastic holiday spent with Andrew and our daughter Poppy but it was completely ruined by the accident and the fact I had to spend two weeks recovering in hospital in Spain. I then had to spend more time in hospital when I got back.

“All I remember from the incident itself was a loud bang behind us then suddenly landing on the road with a thud and feeling instant and excruciating pain in my back. I was in absolute agony for a long time and I’ve faced a long and difficult road to get to where I am today.

“The interim payments I’ve had and the support of Irwin Mitchell have been a real help but I’m still facing the prospect of further surgery. I’m also coming to terms with the fact my hopes of running my own business have been put on hold.

“Hopefully, by issuing formal legal proceedings I will be able to continue to access the funds I need to keep my recovery going.  I can then hopefully begin to move on with my life and put the terrible ordeal we have been through behind us once and for all.”

Our serious injury solicitors could help you claim compensation if you have suffered a serious back or spinal cord injury as the result of an accident. See our Spinal Injury Claims page for more information.