Jack was 17 at the time of his accident just before
Christmas in 2008. He was an apprentice electrician and was also a
gifted boxer, with aspirations to take part in the 2012
Olympics.
Jack was with friends on the Laindon Industrial Estate after
midnight on 21 December. They used to hang out there often and on
this particular night a young lady, who was drunk, ventured onto
the estate. There was a row and she drove off but she returned a
short time later. She was speeding and driving erratically.
She drove into Jack, who was thrown into the air and landed
awkwardly. He sustained a cruciate ligament injury which required
surgery. He also suffered a back injury.
The driver failed to stop at the scene and drove off but she was
ultimately arrested by the police.
She pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop
and failing to report an accident. She was disqualified from
driving for 18 months.
As Jack was a minor at the time his father instructed us to
investigate a personal injury claim.
Richard Earle gathered information about
the accident and obtained medical evidence from an orthopaedic
surgeon.
A statement was obtained from Jack's former trainer. He felt that
whilst Jack was talented he probably would not have made it into
the professional ranks.
The Claimant accepted this and it was therefore decided to
concentrate the claim in terms of potential future loss of earnings
based on an electrician. This was difficult to quantify given
it was likely to occur around the age of 50 and therefore a report
was obtained from an employment consultant.
Damages in excess of six figures were recovered along with costs
payable by the driver's insurers.
The claim was conducted on a no win no
fee basis.
For further information or if you have an criminal assault claim please call Richard
Earle on 020 7861 4041 or email richard.earle@ffw.com.
You can discuss your criminal assault claim with any member of
our personal injury team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry
form.