Our client, a 7 year old boy, was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle driven by his father. They were hit from behind and pushed into the vehicle infront.

Our client, who was severely autistic, occasionally suffered form epileptic fits. He was in immediate shock after the accident. He did not speak and suffered a seizure that night.

Over the next six weeks there was an increase in the number of seizures. In addition, our client suffered a whiplash injury and his school had to provide a specially adapted desk.

Our client became very anxious when he travelled in a car. He would continually look behind him and ask if the car behind was going to get closer.

He recovered from the whiplash injury over 18 months. The psychological injuries resolved without specialist treatment. 

Because our client was under 18, his claim had to be brought on his behalf by a responsible adult. So we were instructed by his mother.

We sent a detailed letter of claim to the defendant’s insurers, as a result of which liability was accepted. We obtained specialist reports from a general practitioner, a consultant psychologist and a paediatric neurologist.

The insurers initially offered £3,000. This was rejected on our advice. The offer was increased to £3,825 which again was rejected on our advice. We acted for him on a No Win No Fee basis. We were able to negotiate settlement in the sum of £4,285 as well as payment of our costs by the insurers.

Because our client was a child, the settlement terms needed to be, and were, approved by the court at an informal hearing.

If your child has been injured and it was not their fault, contact us to see whether they may have a claim.