A split second decision with lifelong consequences

Sometimes it only takes a split second to transform someone's life. A moment's distraction, a bad decision - and a life is irrevocably changed. That nightmare scenario happened to Tom, a former Army Sergeant Major and Gulf War veteran during a simple journey one morning. Tom, a fit and active man who loved riding his motorcycle, was hit by a car attempting to turn right into a junction.

A moment's distraction resulted in Tom suffering a serious spinal injury that left him a tetraplegic. Rushed to hospital by the emergency services, Tom underwent major surgery to stabilise the fracture to his spine, but the extent of his injuries meant he faced a gruelling seven months of recovery and rehabilitation as an in-patient at a specialist spinal injuries unit.

Tom knew that his life would never be the same again and the extent of his injuries meant that he would have to make huge adaptations to allow him to cope with the aftermath of that fateful road accident. He knew that legal action was possible against the other driver and so while undergoing his rehabilitation programme, Tom contacted a specialist lawyer who had experience in spinal injury claims.

The lawyer co-ordinated his claim and it was quickly established that the other driver was liable and substantial interim payments were made to Tom. These payments were used to adapt Tom's bungalow to make life as easy and as comfortable as possible for this once fit and active man. Part of the payment also went towards buying Tom a specially adapted wheelchair that, despite the loss of the use of his arms, Tom could control with a remote control device and the slight movement he had left in his fingers.

The most important thing to Tom was that life should carry on - that there had to be hope. An adapted car gave Tom the freedom that both he and his wife needed to get back to their lives, and although Tom will never ride a motorcycle again, that specially adapted car has made a huge difference to his life and his recovery. It gives him the ability to get out of the house and see friends, family and colleagues who have supported him throughout his ordeal. 24-hour nursing care means that both Tom and his wife can have their own lives.

But most importantly Tom now has financial security, as his specialist solicitor was also able to settle his final claim for substantial damages. It means Tom can now concentrate on making the most of his life without worrying about bills or the financial impact of such a life-changing event.

Tom has remained active in helping others in a similar situation to him cope with the devastating effects of serious spinal injuries. He built up a lasting friendship with the legal team that acted on his behalf, and despite the fact that the claim has been settled, still works closely with them.

Tom feels that others may be able to benefit from his personal experience - and that with the right team behind them anyone, no matter what their injuries, can have hope and the chance of rebuilding their lives after a traumatic event. Tom is an inspiration and has helped raise the profile of those suffering similar injuries to his own. It's that one word - hope - that keeps him and the team battling every day to get a fair deal for those who, for the sake of a spilt second decision, have to deal with lifelong consequences.