Millie Davies Case study

After the accident what were your biggest worries?

I can’t remember so much from just after the accident because I was on so many painkillers. I then started to think my life was over because I would have to rely on others for my care. I guess I was thinking about my relationships, university, having children, having a job. They were worries you start to have when you are 19 years old, and there I was thinking to myself that I was never going to have any of those experiences.

Why did you choose Richard as your lawyer?

My Dad chose Richard after speaking to loads of others. Richard spoke with the most compassion and professionalism and just the upmost commitment to my case. This stayed consistent throughout the whole process. Richard always worked hard on my case. He assured me through all the worries I was having that he would do everything to help secure my independence. I didn’t really have to worry about anything apart from healing because I knew that he had everything else under control.

⁠In the early stages what did having a lawyer help you with most?

Although the first few months are a bit of a blur, I remember being set up with an occupational therapist case manager quite quickly. This meant I could look to start my prosthetic journey. This gave me hope and made me feel like I was actively taking steps towards regaining my independence.

When you got interim payments, how did that help?

The interim payments came through really quickly. They were really helpful for buying adaptive equipment. That gave me more independence at home. It is also covered the cost of psychological therapy which was really, really helpful for me. It also meant I could start looking at different prosthetics, whether that be functional ones or cosmetic prosthetics. It felt like I was taking steps towards my future. It meant I could focus on my recovery and not worry about money. The money also helped me to plan for and go travelling after University. This was something that I thought would never happen after the accident but it had been a lifelong dream to go traveling in Southeast Asia and the payments helped me to do that.

What was it like emotionally coping with the effect of the accident?

It was a challenge but Richard arranged for me to see the best therapist. I could have as many sessions as I needed. There was no limit on this. All the professionals Richard put me in touch with were compassionate and true experts in what they did. I felt really safe in their hands.

What do you remember most about the rehabilitation?

I remember struggling with rehabilitation as it made me face coming to terms with what had happened to me. I remember speaking to Richard about this. Richard really encouraged me to work with the rehab team and I’m so pleased that I did.

What help did Richard give in preparing the claim?

Richard was incredibly thorough in preparing the evidence for the claim. Richard arranged assessments with the absolute best expert witnesses. I felt so confident in them. Richard sent me up and down the country to see the best experts. Every aspect of my recovery was considered. This was from thinking about the kind of house I would need, to assistive technology, to psychological care and even future prosthetic advancements were all considered in my case. That meant no stone was
left unturned. That meant that when it came to the time to settle my claim the evidence in support of it was exceptionally strong.

What was it like going to conferences with experts and barrister, Sarah Crowther KC?

I was invited to attend a conference before the settlement meeting with the expert witnesses and Sarah Crowther KC. This gave me confidence in the strength of my case. It helped me to understand the process a little bit more and what all the experts were looking in to.

What was it like at the joint settlement meeting?

I was really nervous about the settlement meeting. Not that I doubted my case or anything but it represented the culmination of 3 years of hard work by me, Richard and the team. It was the first time I had been to anything like it and I was still quite young. Richard really put me at ease. I was so anxious that I wanted to accept the Defendant’s second offer but Richard put me at ease and encouraged me to keep going. Knowing Richard I trusted his advice and we went on to secure the settlement that I needed to support me for the rest of my life.

What was it like working with the case manager Lauren McCluskey?

Working with Lauren was really useful. She became not only an expert adviser but a supportive friend. I spoke to her about how I was feeling about things and this helped me to feel that I was understood. Having lots of different people with different expertise available to me when I needed them made my care more intuitive and meant that I was supported in all areas.

What was it like combining all of this with your studies?

Balancing uni with a personal injury claim would have been impossible without Richard’s support. Richard handled everything from getting the best experts and covering the costs of seeing the experts. I didn’t need to focus a lot of my time on these things because it was all taken care of. Studying gave me an identity. This was really helpful for my mental health. It helped me to focus on the future and look beyond what was happening to me with the injury. Richard always replied to emails and calls right away and he was on it with everything. This meant I could just focus on what I wanted to do.

What was your overall view of the representation Richard gave you?

Looking back I can definitely and confidently say that Richard’s representation was the best I could have hoped for. I have zero regrets. Richard’s advice and preparation allowed me to focus on moving forward with my life because I knew that everything with the claim was completely taken care of. This meant that everything was as stress free as it could possibly be. I can’t imagine what it would have been like if I picked a lawyer who wasn’t responsive to my emails and calls and wasn’t ready to listen to what I needed.

What are your plans now for the future?

It’s been just over a year since the settlement. I’ve bought my dream first house. I’ve decorated it. I’ve completed my Master’s degree. I’ve been able to get a job. I feel positive. I’ve started playing netball again. I’ve started to build the life that I never would have thought possible after the accident. I’ve got Richard to thank for that.