£20,000 to help child who suffered PTSD following a car accident
Our client was only five years old when he was involved in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver. As a result, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the way this manifests itself in children can be disturbing and upsetting.
Shoosmiths was approached by the family to make a claim for the time and costs they had incurred in caring and treating their son. Obviously due to his age, he could not take legal action, but was represented by his litigation friend – his mother.
After the accident, the little boy became very anxious about travelling in cars. His play became more aggressive and he started re-enacting car crashes. His behavioural problems also got much worse for months after the event.
Our team had to show that his PTSD was definitely caused by the accident so we commissioned medical experts to confirm this. Given his age and symptoms, everything had to be managed very sensitively, so we accompanied the family to all of the hearings and meetings required.
We took advice on the value of the claim from a barrister who suggested that the initial MIB offer of £10,000 was too low. We made a counter offer of £20,000 which was accepted and helped to pay for the child's treatment for PTSD. Thankfully that treatment was successful, but the horrendous time his family endured shows that a road traffic accident can have significant and lasting psychological effects, especially on the young.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024
