Russell-Cooke's Jason Tang, an associate in the personal injury and clinical negligence team recently negotiated an £150,000 out-of-court settlement in a personal injury claim against Network Rail.
Our client was waiting on the concourse at Victoria train station when she was knocked over by a reversing mobility vehicle driven by a member of Network Rail staff. She was badly injured, suffering multiple injuries which included multiple fractures to her sternum, ribs, neck and the top of her spine. Our client required extensive surgery and remained in hospital and a rehabilitation placement for over three months.
We argued that the defendant was vicariously liable for the actions of their member of staff, who had driven the mobility vehicle without due care and attention and failed to check for obstacles and hazards before reversing. It therefore followed that they caused and were responsible for our client’s injuries. The defendant admitted liability.
Prior to her injuries, our client, who was 86, was independent and active. Following the accident, she was immobile for a period of approximately six months. She was unable to eat or drink, and had to be tube fed for four months. She required daily care, was unable to leave her home and became depressed.
As part of the claim we were able to obtain private rehabilitation for our client, including physiotherapy and privately paid care. Despite having made a partial recovery, unfortunately our client is not expected to recover to her pre-injury health and functional mobility, and therefore will likely require care in some form for the remainder of her life. She will also require ongoing physiotherapy treatment.
We acted for our client on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win no fee) basis and recovered £150,000 in compensation in addition to her reasonable legal costs.
To find out more about our personal injury and clinical negligence work, please visit our website. Alternatively, please complete our online enquiry form.