Substantial damages settlement for World Cup Football Fan

Stewarts Law has successfully negotiated a substantial compensation settlement for its client, Mr W, who sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury after attending a World Cup football match, which has left him wheelchair dependent for the rest of his life.

Agreement between the parties was reached only weeks before trial to determine the value of Mr W's claim.

Scott Rigby, Senior Associate in Stewarts Law's Personal Injury department, represented Mr W throughout his claim.

Mr W attended a football match in Germany during the 2006 World Cup. He then travelled to Belgium and took a taxi from the Gare du Mini Train Station in Brussels. About 5 minutes into the journey, the taxi driver suffered a seizure and lost control of the car and Mr W suffered a spinal cord injury as the car ploughed through a barrier and plunged down onto an underpass.

Liability was admitted in full by the defendant driver's insurer.

Mr W initially commenced his claim in Belgium, where the accident had occurred, but due to changes in European Law, Stewarts Law was able to advise him to pursue his claim for compensation through the English Courts and to have the value of his claim quantified under English Law, rather than Belgian Law, which meant he was able to maximise the amount of compensation he recovered.

This accident has had a devastating effect upon Mr W and his family. He is no longer able to walk and he has lost the use of much of his hand function. He needs assistance with daily living activities and is at risk of developing the life-threatening condition autonomic dysreflexia. He has also been unable to return to his pre-accident job as an IT Professional. Stewarts Law's Employment department was able to provide him with advise regarding this matter.

Speaking about the settlement, Scott Rigby stated:

"When the accident occurred, Mr W's life was turned upside down. A spinal cord injury affects almost every aspect of one's life and it also has a devastating impact upon the lives of those around you. Specialising in representing those who have had a catastrophic injury, Stewarts Law are ideally placed to provide the holistic support our clients require. Initially, I was able to obtain substantial interim payments to enable Mr W's pre-accident home to be adapted so that he could be discharged from hospital and a care team was assembled so that he had the proper care he needed, throughout the day. Moving forward the settlement will enable Mr W and his wife to purchase a new home, which will be adapted specifically for his needs, medical therapies and disability aids and equipment, which will enable them to rebuild their lives".