Case Studies

Case Study: A – Life-Changing Injury, Life-Changing Support

A was just nine years old when he was involved in a serious road traffic accident resulting in a below-knee amputation. Over the course of his recovery, A underwent 21 surgical procedures and faced significant physical and emotional challenges. His journey required not only complex medical intervention but also long-term rehabilitation and educational support.

Resolution Law was instructed to represent A in pursuing a personal injury claim. The team provided comprehensive legal and strategic support throughout the case. From the outset, we worked closely with A’s family, medical experts and the case manager to ensure that every aspect of his recovery and future employment prospects were considered.

This included:

• Coordinating advanced prosthetic provision through Dorset Orthopaedics, tailored to A’s lifestyle and rehabilitation goals.
• Facilitating intensive rehabilitation programmes and personal training to support A’s physical development and long-term independence.
• Helping ensure he was able to access his chosen University to study.

Throughout the process, we maintained close communication with A and his family, ensuring transparency and empathy at every stage. Our commitment to A’s wellbeing extended beyond legal representation, offering guidance on financial management, educational transitions, and rehabilitation planning.

We engaged leading experts in accommodation and employment to assess A’s future needs and earning potential. Following negotiations, culminating in a Joint Settlement Meeting, the case was successfully settled for £4 million.

By combining legal expertise with compassionate support, the team helped A secure the resources and stability needed to pursue a fulfilling future.

Client Feedback:

“I can highly recommend Resolution Law and Rowena Lewis. She has handled my compensation claim with professionalism as well as a caring side. She explained every step of the process and nothing was too much trouble.”

Case Study: Y – Securing Justice After Tragedy

In a deeply tragic case, Y instructed Resolution Law following the fatal road traffic accident of her partner, A, a self-employed plumber and gas fitter. The accident left Y and their daughter, S, facing an uncertain future both emotionally and financially.

Y brought the claim as the Administratrix of A’s estate and as Litigation Friend for S, seeking compensation for the loss of financial and services dependency.

We undertook a comprehensive and sensitive approach to this complex fatal accident claim. The case was brought against three defendants and was heard in the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division.

One of the key hurdles in the case was establishing liability. The accident circumstances were complex and a significant challenge in the case was the defence raised by one of the defendants, an insurer, who argued that the insurance policy held by one of the other defendants had been declared void. This defence, if successful, could have severely impacted the claim’s viability and the ability to recover damages. We responded by scrutinising the insurer’s position and presenting robust counterarguments supported by legal precedent to prove that the policy was not void.

We then navigated disputed liability, quantum and causation issues.

A had only recently started working as a self-employed plumber at the time of his fatal accident and so had limited earnings documentation. We engaged an employment expert to project A’s earnings potential “but for” the accident. This involved complex modelling based on industry standards, expert opinion, and comparative data to build the claim for financial dependency and loss of future earnings.

Despite these challenges, the team secured a successful settlement of £850,000 ensuring financial security for Y and S.

Client Feedback:

“Rowena Lewis has been amazing dealing with our Catastrophic Injury claim over the past 5 and a half years. She is one of the most professional, reliable, empathic and hardworking people I have ever met. She explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout. After our future was left uncertain following the crash, it was so reassuring to know we were in safe hands and eventually received a fantastic outcome. Rowena is a credit to Resolution Law and I would highly recommend. We will be forever grateful for all the help and support we received.”

Case Study: I – The Complexity of Foetal Injury Claims

We were instructed to act on behalf of I, a minor, through his Litigation Friend, J.

I’s mother, B, was a front seat passenger in a vehicle driven by her grandmother. B was 23 to 26 weeks pregnant at the time with I. Due to mud left on the road by the Defendants, the car skidded and collided with a tree at around 40mph. B was taken to hospital and whilst there were obvious marks on B’s abdomen from the seat belt, the Doctors were of the view that foetal movements and heart rate were normal and B was discharged home.

Induced labour took place a few months later with I seemingly born healthy. However, five months later I was referred to paediatrics for abnormal eye movements. A diagnosis of congenital nystagmus (involuntary movement of the eyes) was made along with delayed motor development. Subsequently I received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

I has two younger half-brothers who were also diagnosed with conditions caused by brain malformations. These conditions however resulted in minor symptoms in comparison to those affecting I. It was determined that the children had an exceptionally rare genetic disorder inherited from their mother.

Primary liability was admitted by the Defendants but the question was whether the road traffic accident had caused this condition in I or whether there was some other cause e.g. it was a genetic disorder.

We faced real challenge from the Defendants that this was related to the accident, but after obtaining reports from experts in the fields of Neurology, Neuroradiology, Neonatology, Obstetrics and Genetics we were able to adduce evidence that I had been subject to a ‘silent’ placental abruption, which by its very nature does not result in identifiable symptoms. This abruption was more than likely to have caused a hypoxic brain injury. Our evidence also refuted the challenge that I’s condition was caused by the genetic disorder affecting his half-brothers.

As causation was strongly disputed, we issued court proceedings in the High Court of Justice and the claim was listed for a twelve-day causation trial.

However, following strong and protracted negotiations, we were able to agree the sum of £1,500,000 in settlement of I’s claim. Such a sum will have a significant impact on improving the quality of I’s life, care provision and rehabilitation. This settlement was subsequently approved by the Court bringing the claim to a successful conclusion for I and his family.