Moore Barlow were instructed via the Major Trauma Signposting Partnership on behalf of both mother (MRS) and adult daughter (MISS) following a head-on collision with a HGV.
A trip to the London Eye
Mother and Daughter were on a day trip to London which included going on the London Eye when a HGV driver, travelling too fast for the road conditions, lost control and drifted across the road resulting in a head-on collision. The vehicle burst into flames and members of the public managed to extract them both quickly. They were both air-lifted to Kings Hospital, London where the full extent of their injuries were realised.
MRS suffered a traumatic brain injury, right closed distal femoral fracture, bilateral patella fractures, left open distal femoral fracture, right ankle fracture, right forefoot fractures and a right wrist fracture.
MISS suffered a traumatic aortic dissection and subsequent stroke leading to a brain injury, right sided pneumothorax, massive abdominal [intraperitoneal] bleeding, infraumbilical ventral wall hernia (traumatic), reduced blood flow to the small bowel starting from pelvis, fractured spine and a left shoulder injury.
MISS required an exploratory laparotomy, infrarenal aortic repair, bowel resection and muscle removed from both her legs due to blood circulation from the severed aorta and multiple blood clots. In this time, she also suffered multiple strokes.
As inpatients both MRS and MISS were inseparable and understandably refused to be separated on the ward causing a few logistical issues for the NHS team and impacting on discharge.
Sadly, this was only the start of a long journey towards rehabilitation.
Moore Barlow’s expert services
Moore Barlow were able to secure full funding for rehabilitation following a case management immediate needs assessment albeit without any formal admissions of liability. In time, the HGV driver was imprisoned, and liability was admitted. Moore Barlow were able to guide the family through the criminal litigation and provided valued support.
Moore Barlow also enrolled the services of Remedy Healthcare providing valued help in overseeing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pain management whilst the case manager focused on all the other disciples expected for these types of injuries. This was possible due to a collaborative approach with the insurers with funding also provided for private therapy input in the fields of psychology, Gastroenterology, Orthopaedic, Orthotics, exercise rehab instructor and case management from Independence Works
Towards the later part of MISS inpatient stay she required three colostomy bags, reduced to two approximately a year later. We also oversaw a phased return to work but it was ultimately decided that this was proving too stressful and therefore she resigned.
A number of adaptations were introduced to the property as they wanted to stay in their own home and other equipment such as mobility scooters were introduced.
At the time of the accident MRS had been in remission for a few years following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. We were faced with unwelcoming news some 24 months after the accident that her cancer had returned and had spread. There were difficulties in securing a prognosis from the treating oncology department therefore we commissioned a desktop report from a professor in gynaecological oncology who reported that the delay in taking cancer medication whilst an inpatient did not exacerbate the cancer outcome however her life expectancy was now 12 to 24 months.
Another delicate issue was directly related to MISS and her internal injuries due to the fact that these injuries now meant that she was unable to safely have children in the future. This was a very emotive subject for all concerned and had to coincide with treatment with a gastroenterologist specialising in intestinal failure and under expert guidance from colorectal surgeon, gynaecologist, fertility expert and vascular surgeon.
The medico-legal reporting process was a necessary evil and there were 29 expert reports for MRS and MISS combined which also provided essential guidance for treatments.
The final outcome
The case proceeded to a joint settlement meeting in which both cases were settled and MISS received a seven figure settlement. Moore Barlow helped to complete this journey following the meeting, buying tickets for a trip to the London Eye.
How Moore Barlow’s Major trauma service can help
We are one of the very few Major trauma teams in the UK to provide holistic support that covers a wide range of specialist areas. You can feel confident that every legal need will be taken care of, and nothing will be missed. Many of these services may be new to you, so we will explain what will happen, step by step. Our comprehensive package of support is focussed on your needs.
