Man wins substantial compensation for life-changing injuries after being knocked off his bike (From Your Local Guardian)

Man wins substantial compensation for life-changing injuries after being knocked off his bike in Banstead

11:54am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Top Stories

A man whose life was changed forever when he was knocked off his bike as a teenager has won substantial compensation for the brain damage he suffered. 

Robert Joseph Taylor was 13 when he was involved in the accident in Banstead in 2004 which left him in a coma with a lacerated liver and fractured ribs and jaw.

He suffered traumatic injuries to his brain which still have a major effect on him today.

These affected his mood and personality, concentration and memory, caused learning difficulties and led to problems in his performance at school.

Now 21, Mr Taylor, of Horsecroft, took home a substantial damages pay-out from the High Court yesterday, October 15, to compensate him for his injuries.

Mr Taylor was cycling across the A217 Brighton Road, near the junction with Garratts Lane, in October 2004 when he was hit by a Ford Fiesta.
 
Through his mum, Mr Taylor claimed damages to pay for his care and other needs, but his lawyers agreed that the claim should be settled on a 50-50 basis.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said the money would help him make the best of his changed life.

He said: "This is obviously a tragic case, where a young man's life has been terribly affected by injuries suffered in an accident."

He added: "Everybody in this room knows that damages cannot really compensate for what has happened.

"The court hopes that, although it cannot give back the hopes you had before, this can make a real difference to Robbie's life for the future."

Details of the exact sum to be paid will remain confidential.