Christopher Sharp QC secures a judgment in a catastrophic injury case with award of £20 million

Christopher Sharp QC, secures a judgment on 31st March 2021, in a catastrophic injury case in which the final award was for a lump sum of £6 million and periodical payments orders totalling £258,000 per annum with no set-off for local authority direct payments towards his care. The overall gross capitalised value of the award to the claimant, including Rehabilitation Code payments, is thus around £20 million.

The claimant, now 23, was just 13 in 2011 when he was knocked down on a pedestrian crossing when on his scooter, by a speeding motorcyclist who was subsequently jailed. He suffered devastating brain and skeletal injuries and was in hospital for 2 years. He remains a protected party and a protected beneficiary. He has a reduced and uncertain life expectancy. In 2017, he was able to move to adapted accommodation funded by a substantial interim payment. He has 24/7 care but, nevertheless, is able to engage in many activities including dry-slope skiing (in an adapted chair) and overseas trips. Under the Rehabilitation Code, in addition to interim payments, the insurers paid out over £2million for therapy and support.

Christopher led Anna Symington, and was instructed by Kay McCluskey of Ince Metcalfes in this case.

The majority of Christopher’s work involves multi-million-pound catastrophic brain and spinal injuries cases that very often contain complex medical causation and long-term care plan issues. Peers describe him having “unparalleled forensic analysis of deeply complex issues, combined with practical common sense.” Legal 500 (2021). Read more here.

If you would like to instruct Christopher on any related matter, please contact his clerks  or call 0117 923 4740.