Andrew's Story
In August 2023, Andrew’s life changed in an instant. He had climbed a scaffold tower to reach the space above a suspended ceiling, something he had done countless times before in the course of his work. What happened next is something he cannot remember. We know he fell from the tower, crashing onto the concrete floor, and the scaffold came down on top of him. The colleague working alongside him witnessed the aftermath, but Andrew himself has no memory of the moment that altered the course of his life.
The injuries he sustained were devastating. He suffered a left subdural haematoma, bleeding within the brain, and a skull fracture. His ribs were broken, his shoulder damaged, and in the days that followed he began experiencing seizures. The traumatic brain injury was classified as moderate to severe; an injury that would shape every aspect of his future.
Andrew was rushed to hospital, where he was intubated and placed into an induced coma. Surgeons inserted an intracranial pressure bolt to monitor the swelling in his brain. In September 2023, he deteriorated further and required an emergency decompression craniotomy to relieve obstructive hydrocephalus. He experienced seizures during his admission, including a tonic‑clonic episode, and was later transferred to Leicester General Hospital for ongoing care. Nearly two years later, in April 2025, he underwent a cranioplasty to repair the defect left by the earlier surgery.
Recovery has been long, painful, and far from straightforward. Andrew now lives with constant “booming” headaches that worsened after the cranioplasty. He continues to experience seizures with at least four significant episodes to date. His speech is effortful and sometimes dysarthric, with words occasionally slipping or being substituted. His gait is broad‑based and unsteady, often veering to the left. The physical reminder of his injury is visible: a left anterior hemicraniectomy defect, a pronounced deformity to his head.
Andrew’s shoulder movement is limited, his arm weaker. His hearing has been profoundly affected with complete loss on the left and moderate to severe loss on the right, with trauma suspected as a contributing factor. His vision has changed too; his eyes water, and he now needs physical support to walk safely. Nights bring sweats, disturbed sleep, and low mood. The psychological toll has been immense. He has battled depression, intrusive memories of losing his parents and brother, and at one point expressed a wish not to continue living.
The challenges have not stopped there. In August 2024, Andrew was diagnosed with skin cancer on his forehead, which required removal. Benign lymphomas were later identified on a scan. For a period, he lacked the capacity to litigate, though this has gradually improved.
Daily life is now shaped by limitations that would once have been unimaginable for him. Medical experts have found that Andrew struggles with low energy, fluctuating mood, and difficulty with basic tasks such as shaving. He walks with support and faces ongoing physical obstacles. His brain injury has left him with a 5–10% increased lifetime risk of dementia. Rehabilitation needs span almost every aspect of life: sleep, personal care, mobility, confidence outdoors, domestic tasks, and social engagement.
He requires adaptive equipment to maintain any degree of independence. Occupational therapy has become a regular part of his routine, helping him relearn personal care, attempt gardening, and reconnect with hobbies he once enjoyed freely. Most significantly, Andrew now needs round‑the‑clock supervision. Before the accident, he was self‑employed, active, and independent. Since that day in August 2023, he has been unable to work.
The Expert Evidence Behind His Claim
Given the complexity and severity of Andrew’s injuries, the claim required extensive expert evidence across multiple disciplines. His traumatic brain injury alone demanded input from neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychology, and neuroradiology to understand both the acute damage and the long‑term cognitive, behavioural, and functional consequences. His hearing loss required ENT and audiology evidence; his shoulder injury required orthopaedic assessment; his psychological symptoms required psychiatric and psychological evaluation; and his functional limitations required occupational therapy and care experts to map out his rehabilitation needs and lifelong support requirements. Each expert contributed a vital piece of the picture, allowing us to build a clear, coherent, and medically supported account of how the accident reshaped every aspect of Andrew’s life and future.
Supporting Andrew’s Family Throughout the Claim
Over the three years we worked on Andrew’s case, supporting his family became as important as progressing the legal claim itself. The early months were marked by fear, uncertainty, and grief for the life Andrew had lost. I spent considerable time guiding his family through each stage of the process; explaining medical terminology, helping them understand the purpose of each expert assessment, and preparing them for the emotional impact of reading and discussing the evidence. As the months passed, our relationship deepened. They came to rely on me not only for legal direction but for reassurance, clarity, and a steady presence during an overwhelmingly difficult period. I witnessed their resilience, their devotion to Andrew, and their determination to secure the support he needed. By the time the claim reached its conclusion, our relationship had evolved into one built on trust, shared experience, and a mutual commitment to ensuring Andrew’s future was protected as far as possible.
The Settlement and What It Provided
The settlement reached on Andrew’s behalf was designed to give him security, dignity, and the resources he will need for the rest of his life. It recognised not only the severity of his traumatic brain injury but the profound impact it has had on his independence, his ability to work, and his day‑to‑day functioning. The award included provision for lifelong care and supervision, extensive rehabilitation, specialist therapies, adaptive equipment, and suitable accommodation needs. It also accounted for his loss of earnings, future treatment costs, and the broad range of expert‑identified support required to maximise his quality of life. Above all, the settlement acknowledged the reality that Andrew’s world had changed forever and ensured he would not face that future without the support he needs.
A Personal Reflection
“As Andrew’s lawyer, I walked alongside him and his family through every stage of this claim. What mattered most to me was making sure they never felt alone in a process that can be overwhelming, frightening, and deeply emotional. Over the three years we worked together, our relationship grew from formal instruction to genuine trust. I saw their strength, their love for Andrew, and their determination to rebuild a life around his new needs. Securing this settlement was not just a legal outcome, it was a promise that Andrew’s future would be protected, and that everything possible had been done to honour the life he had before and support the life he must now lead.”
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