The courts are often called upon to sanction treatment for patients whose ability to make...
A retired tool maker whose life was changed forever when he was knocked from his bicycle by a motorist has won more than £480,000 in compensation for injuries which robbed him of his independence.
The former trade union shop steward, aged 72, was cycling with his helmet on when the car hit him. The severe head injuries he suffered have had an impact on every aspect of his day-to-day life and left him heavily dependent on his elderly wife. The driver's motor insurers did not dispute liability for the accident and agreed to settle his claim for £482,500 at a High Court hearing.
The judge said, "Looking at the matter overall, I am perfectly content to approve this settlement. When somebody has been injured in the way that this man was injured, it does have a profound impact not only on his own life, but also on the lives of his family. They have assumed the obligation and requirements that come with a relative who has become significantly incapacitated. They have done so willingly and with love and affection. They have the Court's appreciation and gratitude."
The compensation settlement will enable adaptations to be made to improve the quality of the injured man's daily life.