Hodge Jones & Allen

On the 21st March 2003 our client was cycling home from work when a vehicle collided with him and knocked him to the ground. As a result of the accident he sustained a dislocation of the acromio-clavicular joint of his right shoulder and a soft tissue injury to his back. The lateral end of his clavicle became very prominent.

A letter of claim was sent on the 14th April 2003 and the driver's insurers admitted liability in their reply dated the 1st May 2003.

A medical report was obtained from a Consultant in Accident & Emergency medicine. It was noted that the Claimant was unhappy with the cosmetic appearance of his shoulder and was disappointed with the extent of continuing limitation of movement. A decision was therefore made to obtain a further medical report from a shoulder specialist and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. That report was obtained and the surgeon indicated there was a possibility of improvement with surgery but the Claimant decided not to have such invasive surgery.

Medico-legal photographs showing the extent of the cosmetic deficit were prepared.

The Defendant's insurers made an offer of settlement of £6,500 fully inclusive in full and final settlement of the claim. This was rejected but as a result of further ongoing negotiations a settlement was eventually reached on the basis of a payment to the Claimant of £13,000 plus costs of the action. The Claimant's case was funded by his own legal expenses insurers and he recovered his damages in full without any deduction.