Major Trauma Lawyers secured a high five-figure settlement for a client who sustained a combination of physical, neurological and psychological injuries in a serious road traffic accident. The claim also involved a significant flare-up of a pre-existing skin condition.
The accident and its impact
Following the collision, she experienced neck and back pain, chest trauma, concussion and significant psychological symptoms. The stress associated with the accident also triggered a severe flare-up of her longstanding psoriasis.
At the time, NL was a single parent with a young child and worked part-time in an administrative role within the NHS. The combined effects of her injuries prevented her from returning to work and affected her independence, confidence and day-to-day life. She also needed considerable help from her mother with childcare and everyday activities.
Understanding the full extent of the injuries
NL instructed Ralph Clark at Major Trauma Lawyers to pursue her claim. Given the range of symptoms involved, Ralph coordinated evidence from specialists in orthopaedics, neurology, psychology, neuropsychology, respiratory medicine and dermatology.
The medical evidence identified several overlapping areas of injury:
- Physical injuries: soft-tissue injuries to the neck and upper back, persistent pain, chest wall trauma and bruising to the legs.
- Head injury: concussion, a period of post-traumatic amnesia and confusion, ongoing headaches and early symptoms consistent with post-concussion syndrome. Although an MRI showed no structural brain injury, NL experienced significant functional difficulties.
- Psychological and cognitive symptoms: severe anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep disturbance, low mood, and problems with memory and concentration. The accident also exacerbated previously well-managed difficulties.
- Chest symptoms: persistent musculoskeletal pain following seatbelt trauma, affecting exertion and daily activities.
- Psoriasis: a severe stress-related flare-up that affected NL’s confidence, clothing choices and social life, and required specialist treatment, including ultraviolet light therapy.
The combined impact of these conditions was substantial. NL continued to need psychological and rehabilitative support, including a course of 20 cognitive behavioural therapy sessions.
Building the claim and negotiating a settlement
The defendant admitted liability, but their representatives initially made a number of offers that Ralph advised NL not to accept.
Court proceedings were subsequently issued, after which the defendant made a high five-figure settlement offer.
Ralph discussed the offer with NL’s consultant neuropsychologist. By this stage, the litigation process was itself causing NL considerable stress and anxiety, affecting her ability to cope with cognitive assessments.
Taking the medical advice and NL’s wellbeing into account, she accepted the offer so that she could bring the litigation to an end and concentrate on treatment and recovery.
Why this case matters
This claim demonstrates why the consequences of a serious road traffic accident need to be considered as a whole. An MRI may show no structural brain injury, for example, while a person continues to experience significant cognitive and functional difficulties.
By bringing together evidence from several medical disciplines, Ralph was able to present the combined impact of NL’s injuries, including the worsening of a pre-existing condition, during settlement negotiations.
What our client said
Following the conclusion of her claim, NL left a Google review praising the support she received from Ralph and the team. She described them as professional, informative and supportive, and said they made an overwhelming process easier to understand.
Speak to Major Trauma Lawyers
If you have sustained serious or complex injuries in a road traffic accident, contact Major Trauma Lawyers to discuss your circumstances and the support you may need.
