Early assessment key to getting Richard the rehabilitation he needed after his road traffic accident

When Richard Holdstock severely injured his right arm in a car accident five years ago, he never anticipated how much his life could be affected as a result. However, with the help of the team at Minster Law, an early assessment of his injuries enabled him to quickly access rehabilitation and therapy services, allowing him to regain some function in his arm and adapt to his restricted mobility.

Former scaffolder, Richard, was driving his car at around 40mph when a van travelling in the opposite direction crossed on to his side of the road resulting in a head on collision. Richard’s car was then pushed backwards down an embankment before striking a tree. As a result of the accident, Richard suffered a severe fragmented fracture and dislocation of his elbow and needed extensive reconstructive surgery and lengthy therapy.

After asking Minster Law to help with a personal injury claim, the team quickly made an application under the Rehabilitation Code to supplement NHS input in order to maximise recovery and plug any gaps where NHS funding and resources fell short. Although he is no longer able to lift weights in excess of 3kg and still faces the prospect of requiring a prosthetic joint in the future, his prognosis could have been much worse without quick intervention.

After the accident, Richard, who is originally from Hastings, was forced to leave his job as a scaffolder on medical grounds, but managed to find voluntary work in a wood reclaiming and recycling business. He has since gone on to complete his SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence and now works in a security role at a local holiday park.

Richard said: “I’m really grateful for the help and support Minster Law provided my family and I immediately after my accident. As well as helping me to get the rehabilitation I needed, they worked closely with my former employer to manage my work issues and organised financial advisers to speak to me about managing my situation. My final settlement significantly exceeded my expectations, which provides some financial security for me now and in the future.”