Alan - finding justice

Alan had a good business as a window cleaner. At 53, he was at an age where finding another job would be difficult at best, so his livelihood depended on his ability to carry out his job on a regular basis.

While cleaning windows at a shopping centre, Alan fell 30 feet from an unsupported ladder. The fall was devastating, resulting in Alan suffering multiple injuries including a burst fracture of his spine at T12, a serious head injury, psychological reaction and fractured scaphoid.

Let down in the first instance
Faced with a lifetime of recovery, Alan contacted The National Accident Helpline and was referred to a firm of solicitors in London. However, they failed to realise just how life changing his injuries were, and very little progress was made with his case. The solicitors didn't fully comprehend how serious head injuries can impact on a person's life, and Alan and his family felt that the case was not handled in his best interests. Vitally, no medical evidence was obtained, crucial in an injury case such as Alan's. The solicitors also failed to interview witnesses or gather statements. Most importantly, no assessment was made of his immediate needs and no interim payments were made, despite Alan's desperately poor living conditions. So at this point, not only was Alan battling through recovery, but his personal circumstances and financial difficulties had also led to extreme concern and worry for everyone involved.

The last straw came when Alan felt that the solicitors didn't appreciate just how serious the situation was and that court proceedings didn't even seem to factor in their approach to the case. Deeply unhappy with his treatment, Alan transferred to a specialist solicitor with a detailed understanding of the problems facing serious head injury clients.

Turning things around
The specialist solicitors, well practised in dealing with cases concerning serious injury, immediately took a different approach. They identified his immediate needs, implementing an action plan that resulted in Alan receiving a significant interim payment. With his money worries alleviated, Alan could concentrate on his rehabilitation and recovery. His specialist team also helped with this aspect too, carrying out a full needs assessment. This included obtaining evidence from a host of experts in numerous fields including neurology, orthopaedic, psychological and nursing, occupational therapy and rehabilitation. All of this was immediately instigated, despite the fact that liability was being disputed.

Using an in-house investigations unit and the use of senior counsel, the solicitors were able to construct a strong case proving liability and court proceedings started within months of the specialist team taking the case.

Alan's case proves that, particularly in cases involving serious head injury or spinal injury, specialist knowledge is vital. His initial legal team didn't have that understanding, and didn't realise just how difficult and long-term recovery from this type of injury is, and how much help and support victims need to be able to start back on the road to recovery. Connections with expert witnesses are also crucial, as neurological damage can have repercussions that go beyond the obvious. Alan is now looking forward to returning to a full and meaningful life, with the care and medical treatment he needs so badly to recover from his injuries.