Personal Injury
Case study 1
"A" was a 40 year old man who was in his back garden when the trunk of a very large tree located on adjoining land snapped causing it to fall on him, pinning him to the ground. Unfortunately, he suffered a very serious spinal cord injury. His previous Solicitors advised he had no case. PotterRees were then instructed. We investigated and obtained expert opinion from an Arboriculturist. He found the tree was badly decayed and he was critical of the Local Authority (which owned the land where the tree was situated) for failing to carry out inspections of their trees. We pursued the claim and the Local Authority subsequently conceded liability. He eventually recovered over £1.5 million in compensation which enabled him to move into a suitable property and manage his rehabilitation much more effectively.
Case study 2
"B" was a 38 year old man with a young family. His vehicle suffered a puncture and whilst retrieving the spare tyre from the boot, having parked upon the grass verge, another vehicle struck him resulting in a catastrophic spinal cord injury (tetraplegia) and head injury. PotterRees investigated and pursued a claim against the other driver whose insurers conceded liability. With the assistance of compensation he was able to relocate to a suitable property, drive a specially adapted vehicle, and employ a team of carers to help him and his family. He eventually recovered £4 million in compensation.
Case study 3
"C" is a bright young man who unhappily suffered very serious brain injuries in a road traffic accident. He was a back seat passenger and PotterRees was instructed to bring a claim against the driver of his vehicle. As a result of his brain injuries "C" is largely confined to a wheelchair and he has quite serious cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, he has retained his quick and mischievous sense of humour and philosophical outlook. We were successful in our claim and "C" was awarded just over £5 million. We referred "C" to independent financial advisors. After discussions he decided he wanted to spend some of his compensation monies on a substantial annual payment to pay his team of carers and index linked to inflation. PotterRees also help "C" to manage his own financial affairs through a deputy in the Court of Protection department.
Case study 4
"D" is a young man who unfortunately sustained a serious spinal cord injury when he fell over the balcony of his holiday apartment. He was overseas at the time and the Tour Operator alleged that he had been drinking heavily. PotterRees brought a claim on behalf of "D" on the basis that the balcony rail was too low and the Tour Operator itself was responsible. Our claim was successful. As a result of his spinal injury, "D" was rendered tetraplegic. He required care, items of equipment and adaptations to his home and his compensation claim amounted to millions of pounds.
Case study 5
"E" was pushed into a wall by his girlfriend. Unfortunately, he suffered grievous personal injuries. PotterRees was instructed and we applied to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, (CICA) for compensation. Our application was rejected. We thought that the decision was wrong and we lodged an appeal on behalf of "E". The Appeal Tribunal also rejected the claim on the grounds that there had not been an assault. We thought this decision was wrong also. We therefore brought a claim in the High Court against the CICA on the basis that it had made an unjustifiable decision. The Judge in the High Court agreed with us and ruled in "E's" favour. At the final court hearing "E" recovered compensation measured in millions of pounds for his injuries.
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