Sintons Neurotrauma team are proud to have used expertise from across the firm to seek a settlement for a client injured in a road traffic collision.
Nicki Waugh is a Senior Associate in the Neurotrauma team at Sintons. Nicki acted for the client who was driving within the speed limit on an A-road when a car pulled out in his path, forcing him into a ditch, significantly damaging the vehicle and likely causing an impact to the client’s head. Nicki says, “The Claimant sustained a traumatic head injury and probable mild traumatic brain injury. He also developed widespread chronic pain and psychological difficulties.”
To compound matters, the Claimant had been absent from work at the time of the collision with other health conditions, including back pain and some mental health problems. Nicki adds, “This accident severely impacted his intended return to work in the short term. As it was, he still hasn’t managed a return to work.”
Settlement and rehab
dashcam footage of the accident meant that liability was admitted early and the footage was also useful to demonstrate the high speed of the impact to medical experts. As well as a £65,000 settlement, agreement was secured with the Defendant to fund a rehabilitation package which included a case manager, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and psychologist.
The client was a Polish national who lives in the UK. As such, all communication was done in Polish. Nicki notes, “The client’s preference was for all communications to be in Polish. We therefore arranged for all calls, emails and letters to be in Polish. We relied heavily on our Polish team for this. Without any doubt, I could not have delivered the same level of service to this severely injured client without our internal Polish team.”
As well as having a team of bi-lingual lawyers and support staff, Sintons are also able to arrange interpreters at medical and other appointments for clients. The combination of legal knowledge and linguistic skill means Sintons are in a position to advise and help deliver successful outcomes for the Polish community in Newcastle, and also further afield.
To contact Sintons Neurotrauma team, click here.
