Little did Stephen know, when he left home in the early hours of the morning on 26th October 1999, of the life shattering events that were about to take place. As he drove to his place of work, an unlit tractor unit attached to an articulated lorry was protruding into the road in front of him. Not being able to see this trailer Stephen collided with it and suffered life threatening injuries to his lungs, and was rendered tetraplegic and dependent on a wheelchair.
In recognition of our reputation and expertise in representing individuals with spinal injuries Stephen was recommended by staff at the Spinal Injuries Unit, Northern General Hospital in Sheffield . He was unable to return to his tenement flat (up 13 steps) and we accordingly arranged alternative adapted ground floor accommodation supplied by the local housing department. Although a satisfactory temporary measure the accommodation was confined for a wheelchair bound individual with three young and active children. We therefore persuaded the Defendants’ insurance company to make an interim payment sufficient to allow Stephen to buy a spacious self contained bungalow in his native Newark . We arranged for plans to be drawn to adapt the inside to improve wheelchair circulation and by April 2004 Stephen, his wife Bridget, and the family moved in to their new home.
After further lengthy negotiations we were able to persuade the Defendants to make a substantial offer to settle Stephen’s case without the need to go to Trial. This will cover Stephen’s past and future requirements and his loss of earnings as a result of being unable to return to work. Below is a photograph of Stephen, Bridget and Mandy Hopewell and Edward Myers of Barratts Solicitors.
The Steelers Wheelchair Basketball
Club
The Sheffield Steelers wheelchair basketball team has secured a two year, £10,000 sponsorship deal with Nottingham-based personal injury solicitors Barratts.
