Trainee engineer secures damages following a road traffic accident

Colin Cook, Partner and Personal Injury specialist at Hatch Brenner Solicitors on Theatre Street in Norwich, has recently helped a would-be engineer secure a high value settlement following a road traffic accident.

The Claimant, a pedestrian at the time, was injured as a result of two motorists involved in collision subsequently colliding with him. He sustained psychological trauma and permanent physical injuries which limited his ability to stand, walk and run. A lover of football, he was prevented from participating in the sport at a recreational level.

The claimant had a pre-exiting disability which limited his employment options. Those options were further restricted by his injuries. At the time of his injuries he was a training to become an engineer in a field where success relied upon his physical condition. His training was cut short due to the injuries he sustained and a return to training looked doubtful.

The two drivers involved in the accident argued between themselves as to who was to blame and whilst the Claimant was clearly not at fault, both drivers refused to release interim payments until liability was resolved.

Hatch Brenner pushed for a split trial to resolve the liability issue so interim payments could be released to fund important rehabilitation in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy to address the psychological trauma. Liability was conceded between the Defendants only a matter of weeks before trial.

The case was subsequently settled by negotiation on the basis of the Claimant’s further limited employment options.

Colin Cook commented: “The Hatch Brenner Dispute Resolution team is delighted to have reached this settlement for our client. The behaviour of the insurers in this case was frustrating given that my client could not be held to be in any way responsible. It might have been more sensible for one insurer to deal with my client’s case and then come to an arrangement with the other insurer later. Nevertheless, the extent of my client’s ongoing restriction only became fully apparent over time so ultimately my client benefited from the delay brought on by the insurers tactics.”

Marcus Grant of Temple Garden Chambers was the instructed Barrister for the Claimant on the case.

This case is one of many high value settlements which represent the core of the work Hatch Brenner undertakes for seriously injured clients. If you would like to speak to Colin Cook about your circumstances, or to discuss Court of Protection or Personal Injury Trusts advice following the resolution of a Litigation matter, call 01603 214 220 or email [email protected]

Colin Cook, Norwich Personal Injury Lawyer