O’Reilly Stewart were instructed on behalf of Ms O following a road traffic accident in August 2015. Dionne Darragh acted.
The other driver pulled out unexpectedly in front of Ms O and collided with the rear driver side of her vehicle pushing her into the traffic lights. Ms O was taken by ambulance to Antrim Area Hospital. Ms O was discharged following chest, abdominal and sternal x-rays. She attended Lagan Valley Hospital later that week due to ongoing pain and discomfort in her left thumb and wrist. X-rays ruled out any bony injury.
Ms O has a history of stress incontinence and gastritis. Before the accident she had intervention by Urodynamics which stabilised urinary function. However, following the accident, Ms O continued to experience abdominal pain and her stress incontinence returned more frequently.
Further medical evidence was obtained from a Consultant Urologist which confirmed the stress incontinence was a direct result of forces on the abdomen at the time of the accident. A Consultant Urogynaecologist reported on her ongoing symptoms and opined that repeat surgical procedure could be offered to treat the stress incontinence and bladder injections to treat the urge incontinence.
This also caused added stress and anxiety to Ms O. Opinion was sought from a Consultant Psychiatrist which confirmed she was suffering from an Adjustment Disorder and travel anxiety.
Liability was admitted and following review of initial medical evidence, a pre-proceedings offer of £32,500 was put forward by the third party insurer. This figure did not reflect the injuries sustained, so High Court proceedings were issued to progress matter.
The Defendant’s medical evidence largely echoed the reports obtained on behalf of the Plaintiff. We entered into early negotiations with the Defendant’s Solicitor, which proved successful and the case settled in the sum of £65,000.
