Overview

A young passenger suffered a spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury after being ejected from a truck that lost control and entered a field. His statutory accident benefits claim settled for more than $1.4 million within two years.

Key Takeaways

  • Settlement amount: More than $1.4 million
  • Accident type: Truck accident
  • Primary injuries: Spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury
  • Additional injuries: Multiple lumbar and thoracic spinal fractures and a facial fracture
  • Benefits received: Income replacement, treatment, housekeeping and home maintenance, and attendant care benefits
  • Resolution method: Statutory accident benefits settlement
  • Long-term impact: The client will never work again and will require substantial lifetime care

The Case

Our client was a young man travelling as a passenger in a truck when the driver lost control and the vehicle went into a field. He was ejected from the truck and remained in the field for hours before emergency personnel found him.

He suffered multiple fractures to his lumbar and thoracic spine, as well as a facial fracture. The accident left him with a spinal cord injury and a traumatic brain injury. His injuries prevent him from ever working again, and he will require substantial care throughout his lifetime.

The family had originally retained another law firm and was receiving little or nothing from the statutory accident benefits insurer when Oatley Vigmond was retained. The client subsequently began receiving a weekly income replacement benefit, assistance from a multidisciplinary treatment team, a weekly housekeeping and home maintenance benefit, and a substantial monthly attendant care benefit.

Within two years, the statutory accident benefits claim settled for more than $1.4 million.

Why It Matters

The client’s spinal cord and brain injuries created significant long-term consequences, including the inability to return to work and the need for substantial lifetime care. The accident benefits obtained addressed multiple areas of need, including income replacement, treatment, attendant care, and assistance with housekeeping and home maintenance.

The statutory accident benefits claim was resolved for more than $1.4 million within two years.