Personal Injury

Case Studies

Case 1: Mr JL

JL drove through a crossroad controlled by a set of traffic lights that unfortunately were not working.  His vehicle was hit on the left by another car attempting to cross from JL’s left to his right.  JL sustained whiplash injuries.

The panel solicitor negotiated £1,000 settlement on the basis that the claim was worth £2,000, but JL was 50% to blame for the accident.

However, the claim was actually worth £4,000 and there was no blame attributable to JL.  A simple analysis of the road layout and accident damage shows that JL must have crossed more than half the junction when he was hit, so the other driver was entirely to blame.

Result: JL settled for 25% of the true value

Case 2: Mrs HP

HP was an elderly passenger in a car travelling on the M1.  The car was hit by a foreign lorry when it moved into the central lane.  HP sustained severe injuries to bone surrounding her right eye which resulted in focussing difficulties.  She also had a fracture to the right upper arm and a bowel perforation which had to be operated on.  There was concern about a head injury due to her being in a coma for a few days following the accident.  Amazingly, the panel solicitor relied upon one “expert” for all these injuries.

The panel solicitor recommended settlement at £8,500.

Following receipt of reports from a neurologist, ophthalmic surgeon and maxillo facial surgeon Park Woodfine Heald Mellows negotiated a £17,000 settlement.

Result: HP doubled the compensation due to her.

Case 3: Mrs NG

Client was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle which was hit from when another vehicle misjudged an overtaking manoeuvre on a dual carriageway.  She sustained injury to her back and neck.  The panel solicitor used a medical agency and based on the report advised settlement of £2,750.

Park Woodfine Heald Mellows obtained a full set of medical notes and a report from an orthopaedic surgeon.  The case settled at £6,000.

Result: NG more than doubled the compensation due to her.

Case 4: Mr JG

Client was a front seat passenger in a vehicle which was hit from when another vehicle misjudged an overtaking manoeuvre on a dual carriageway.  He sustained injury to his knee with a minor injury to his back.  The panel solicitor used a medical agency and based on the report advised settlement of £2,500.

Park Woodfine Heald Mellows obtained a full set of medical notes and a report from an orthopaedic surgeon.  The case settled at £6,000.

Result: JG more than doubled the compensation due to him.

Case 5: Mr APH

Client was injured while using a defective ladder.  He sustained injury to his arm and back.  He contacted Esther who assigned him a “No win, no fee” solicitor about 70 miles away.  They used a medical agency and received an offer of £2,335, which they recommended.

Park Woodfine Heald Mellows obtained a full set of medical notes and a report from an orthopaedic surgeon.  We also investigated the financial losses.  The case settled at £8,000.

Result: APH more than trebled the compensation due to him.

Case 6: Miss JG

Client was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle which was hit from behind whilst stationary.  She sustained whiplash type injury.  Her driver’s insurer appointed panel solicitors who used a medical agency and recommended £1,750.

Park Woodfine Heald Mellows obtained a full set of medical notes and a report from an orthopaedic surgeon.  We also investigated the financial losses.  The case settled at £3,200.

Result: JG nearly doubled the compensation due to her.

Case 7: Mr MP

Client was a driver in a vehicle which was hit from when another vehicle misjudged an overtaking manoeuvre on a dual carriageway.  He sustained injuries to his back, neck and shoulder.  He also suffered a right pneumothorax, for which he was catheterised.  This lead to a urinary tract infection which persisted for over 4 years.  The appointed panel solicitors did not obtain any evidence on the urological problems and suggested settlement at £2,500.

Park Woodfine Heald Mellows obtained a full set of medical notes and a report from a urologist and a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.  The case settled at £28,000.

Result: MP received 9 times higher compensation than was originally valued.