Phil Grace case study

He later instructed Richard Edwards to act for him in his claim. His account of bringing a claim with Richard’s help is set out below:

What were your biggest worries after the accident?

My biggest worries after the accident were around how was I going to support my family. How would I be able to do things with my son, Edward. How could I enjoy activities with him as he grew? How could I support him when I wasn’t working?

Emotionally, after the accident things were very hard. Even today it can still be hard. Some days better than others. I’m not sure it will ever go away. Some days I don’t think about it and just crack on with my life but it’s always there in the back of my mind and flares up every now and again but we get by.

How did you come to instruct Richard Edwards and what was that like in the early days?

I knew that I need to put in a claim but I didn’t know who I should go to. I asked my cousin and she knew someone in work and he recommended Richard to me and so I went with him.

Richard helped to point me in the right direction. He helped me to understand that I had rights and he would make sure that my rights were protected. He explained how what had happened to me was wrong, the laws that were there to protect me had not been followed.

Richard also helped me by getting me some money early on, before the case was settled (known as interim payments). Having money put some normality back into my life. I had an income like I was working. I was able to buy a car which made me more mobile. I was able to buy a house. This helped me to get back to normal in terms of being able to use things in the house again.

What do you remember most about the rehabilitation you were provided?

After going to Aintree hospital it was a big step going to PACE rehabilitation. I realised how good the prosthetics were that they had available. There was the Michaelangelo arm, and the cosmetic arm.

Getting the prosthetics was a real eye opener. I got to see what was out there and available to me. In time I was able to buy them as well with money Richard got for me from the Defendant before the claim settled. Mentally getting the prosthetic arms really helped me.

The case manager, Jackie Bevan really helped me too. Richard got her involved. She got equipment to help me around the house like handrails, kitchen utensils and a new hob. Jackie researched everything for me. Anything I was struggling with Jackie would to find a solution to help me. If there was anything out there that might help me cope with having lost an arm, to help me to be more independent, she would look to get it for me. She was very good.

Richard also put me in touch with a psychologist who provided me with treatment. That helped immensely.

And you were put forward for a disability flying scholarship, what was that like?

I felt proud, realising that even after what had happened to me, there’s me with one arm and a Michaelangelo prosthetic flying a plane – literally that’s what I did! I took off in the plane. I landed the plane. It is one of the things I will never ever forget. It was a brilliant experience. That’s thanks to Richard really because he put me on to it.

How did Richard help when it came to preparing your claim?

Richard was very patient and thorough with the witnesses. He made sure I was seen by all the top experts who knew everything about what I was going through. He sent me to London. I saw all the top experts in the country. He made sure everything was checked out. I was sent for scans. He knew it wasn’t just that I had lost my arm but there were other effects on other parts of my body, my shoulder and things like that. It was all checked out.

He got me a top barrister, Gerard Martin KC. Meeting him was very helpful. He was nice and friendly. He explained everything clearly to me, the procedure and things. This meant I knew what to expect going forward. He spoke to me in terms that I could understand. He was patient. He was a nice genuine person. I have nothing but high regard for Gerard Martin KC.

What was it like when it came to the final settlement meeting?

I remember thinking this is finally the day it’s all going to be over. I remember it was a very long day. I was disappointed at the end of the day because we never reached a settlement.

Richard reassured me that my claim was worth way more than I was being offered and that we would in time get a fair settlement. Richard told me to sit tight and advised me not to agree to what they were offering. I remember Richard kept telling me that he knew that it’s disappointing not to do a deal on the day of the meeting but that I should sit tight and they will give me what I’m entitled to, and that I shouldn’t accept second best. It turned out that Richard was right because a few weeks later the Defendant came back and offered a fair amount which I accepted.

After the accident you started to play for the Everton FC amputee team. Do you think the rehabilitation process helped you with this at all?

The rehabilitation was very helpful. I saw there was other people like me, some who were in a much worse position than I was. When I went to PACE rehab I could see there were young kids who have to got to school, and go through the whole of their lives as amputees. They were there smiling and laughing. It was humbling and emotional. This all helped me to get on with my rehab. It helped me to start mixing with other people. I was getting on with my life again. I realised I wasn’t an outcast. I wasn’t different to other people just because of my injury.

Then I joined the Everton amputee team. They were all so welcoming to me. We were all amputees together. We played well together. We were a team. We won loads of competitions and we have played all over the world together!

What is your overall view of Richard’s representation?

I couldn’t fault Richard’s representation. He always gave me his best and honest advice. His preparation was second to none. He was very, very, very thorough! He left no stone unturned to get the best for me. He fought so hard for me. He fought so hard to get me my interim payments to pay for my new house, prosthetics and equipment. He always put me at ease, especially when I was struggling mentally.

Richard also made sure that what happened to me was heard by others and wasn’t brushed under the carpet. He highlighted that there was a problem with serious accidents in the recycling industry and I spoke about this on the radio and on tv!

Richard also helped me to get a volunteering role in a local amputee charity. I loved being there and trying to help other amputees. He helped me to get the flying scholarship.Richard’s representation was unbelievable. I could go on about how good he was for ever really! He was so patient with all the witnesses. He got me a very good outcome. Richard changed my life for the better. He helped me to lay down the foundations of life for me and my family going forward. I can’t thank him enough.