Nathan’s Story: Spinal Cord Injury

Whilst investigations into the collision circumstances were ongoing, the Defendant Insurer was approached early on to work together to focus on Nathan’s rehabilitation under the Serious Injury Guide (a set of guidelines for solicitors and insurers to work to in cases of the utmost severity).

A local, specialist SCI Case Manager was chosen to assess Nathan’s needs. Following this assessment, a full team of private specialist therapists, including neuro-occupational therapist and a neuro-physiotherapist, were taken on to start his community-based rehabilitation. Nathan did not want to go into a residential rehabilitation unit, as he wanted to stay at home with his family. His Case Manager was able to set up an intensive intervention package at home. Care support and domestic assistance were also provided.   

Various pieces of equipment were purchased for Nathan to aid his mobility and give him the best chance of rehabilitation. This included a Functional Electrical Stimulation bike – used to exercise the muscles of paralysed limbs, a power assist attachment for his manual wheelchair, and a specialist standing device. As well as physiotherapy, Nathan also had weekly hydrotherapy, which was incredibly beneficial in easing his pain and tone. He was able to move more freely in the water and it helped to reduce spasms.

Before the collision, Nathan and his family lived in a two bedroomed local authority property. Nathan and his partner have two young children and, after he was discharged from hospital, he needed new accommodation. A single storey property was found to meet his housing needs temporarily until his longer-term home could be found. A significant interim payment, an advance on the damages, was obtained which meant that Nathan was able to buy a suitable bungalow to be adapted to meet his needs now, and in the future.   

Following negotiations, Nathan’s claim was resolved, with damages agreed. The settlement included, amongst other things, compensation for the injury itself, care, case management, loss of earnings, ongoing therapy, equipment, accommodation needs and the additional costs of holidays following. Nathan has been able to return to his hobbies of snooker, fishing and going to watch his local football team.  

Bethany Sanders, partner in the Leigh Day Personal Injury Team, represented Nathan in his claim, assisted by Katherine Wilkinson, senior associate solicitor.  

Bethany said: “Nathan sustained such serious injuries in the collision, and it was incredibly important for us to secure early funding to enable him to move into suitable accommodation and access specialist rehabilitation as soon as possible. Nathan has worked so hard on his rehabilitation, and I am pleased to have been able to secure him such a substantial settlement which will enable him to continue his ongoing rehabilitation, whilst living in suitable accommodation with his young family.”