Expert legal support helped a charity manager rebuild his life

Phil, a charity manager and father of two from Lincoln, works at Alzheimer’s UK supporting volunteer activity. Shortly before Christmas, while walking home from his local supermarket, he was struck by a car and suddenly found himself needing support.

The car was travelling at speed on the wrong side of the road. As Phil crossed the road, it struck him and threw him into the windscreen. He then lay in the road for more than an hour and a half, bleeding and in pain, while waiting for an ambulance.

Phil suffered a head injury, broken hand, fractured spine, torn tendon, whiplash and bruising. However, multiple fractures to his leg were initially missed. Despite the severity of his injuries, he spent only 24 hours in hospital before being discharged.

Over Christmas, Phil experienced dizziness, sickness and considerable pain. He tried to continue walking because he did not know that his leg was broken.

As the pain worsened, Phil sought a second opinion from a private consultant. The doctor identified that he had been walking on a broken leg and explained that this would have compounded the injury. Phil was subsequently readmitted, when the full extent of the damage to his leg was established.

Phil explained: “On the night the accident happened, they scanned my brain and spine. We all thought they would have done a full body scan, but they hadn’t.”

Doctors found that Phil’s leg was badly broken in three places. The damage had progressed too far for immediate surgery, and he was told that he would probably require a knee replacement within two to five years.

Phil was unable to work for three months and faced a lengthy recovery. His treatment was initially covered by the private healthcare plan provided through his wife’s employer, but he understood that it would not cover the future treatment he needed. Concerned that he could face a long wait for a knee replacement through the NHS because of his age, he decided to pursue a personal injury claim.

Phil turned to CLA member firm Express Solicitors for help. RTC Partner Adele Greenough supported him throughout the claim, explaining matters clearly, maintaining regular contact and ensuring that he remained involved in the decisions affecting his case.

Phil said: “It was a supportive process, one that I felt I was in control of.”

The Express Solicitors team gathered medical evidence and pursued a claim against the driver and their insurer. Liability was admitted and the settlement secured helped to support Phil’s recovery, cover his lost earnings, and fund future treatment.

Phil underwent around seven months of physiotherapy for both shoulders, his neck and his leg. Although he continues to experience lasting effects, including reduced grip in his hand, he can walk again and has returned to the charity career he finds so rewarding.  

The experience changed Phil’s perception of personal injury lawyers. Adele kept him informed, explained each stage clearly and involved him in the decisions affecting his claim. As Phil described it, the process was supportive and left him feeling in control.

For Phil, claimant representation was about far more than compensation. It helped him regain his independence, return to the charity career he values, and begin rebuilding his life.