Jeremy Ford

YXR v PCH Transport Limited (2026)

Claimant (aged 55) sustained catastrophic injuries comprising severe traumatic brain injury and bilateral internal carotid artery dissection in a road traffic accident, requiring emergency decompressive craniotomy and cranioplasty. A prolonged disorder of consciousness was followed by significant rehabilitative recovery, but she remains without litigation or financial capacity and requires lifelong 2:1, 24/7 care. Settled at JSM for £15,500,000, one month before a 10-day quantum trial.

Holland v Edge (2025)

Claimant (aged 32) sustained a complete spinal cord injury in a road traffic collision rendering him tetraplegic. The case raised difficult arguments concerning suitable accommodation, possible contributory negligence for seatbelt non-use, and the claimant’s reluctance to engage with rehabilitation and care for the first 2.5 years post-accident. Settled shortly after JSM for circa £11,150,000.

RXA v (1) Reilly (2) MIB (2024)

Claimant suffered a devastating brain injury in a road traffic accident. Liability was disputed, focusing on the actions of the turning driver, the speed of the claimant’s motorcycle, and the causative significance of his unsecured helmet. Liability compromised 75/25 in the claimant’s favour. Settled at JSM for £7.5 million lump sum, with particular focus on the implications of a potential return to Brazil on the PPO settlement.

SXB v Bostan (2025)

Claimant (aged 55) was a passenger in a very low-speed road traffic collision. Unknown to her, she had a pre-existing spinal stenosis; the collision caused an incomplete C6 spinal cord injury with permanent loss of mobility and the need for 24/7 care in adapted accommodation. Disputes focused on whether the presentation was an acceleration or a new injury, and on the extent of care needed including the need for night care. Compromised at JSM for £6,500,000.

KZL v Fenn (2024)

KZL was 16 when he suffered a traumatic brain injury while riding his motorcycle. Post-accident his life descended into criminality, including a period in custody. Rehabilitation was hampered by COVID-19 lockdowns, but with Support Worker provision KZL has regularised his life and now lives independently. Causation for the post-accident presentation and the scope of future support requirements dominated the medical evidence. Settled on a provisional basis at JSM for £3.5 million to allow for the future risk of epilepsy.

Burley v EUI Limited (2025)

Claimant (aged 38) sustained an incomplete L4 ASIA D spinal cord injury in a road traffic accident, resulting in bilateral lower limb weakness, foot drop and neuropathic pain. He had returned to full-time work as a building surveyor and continued to live in a multi-level house. Disputes focused on future medical treatment, single-level accommodation, and ongoing care. Settled at JSM for £3,300,000.

Macrae v Wilkins (2024)

Claimant (aged 11) rode his bicycle from a side road into the path of the defendant’s vehicle. Liability compromised 60/40 in his favour. Below-knee amputation of the right leg followed by stump revision surgeries. At JSM the defendant disputed the need for a microprocessor ankle; the case settled on the basis of a full-liability valuation in excess of £5 million, allowing lifelong Empower prosthetics.

Elvestad v (1) Starmer (2) Construction & Environmental Services Limited (2025)

Claimant (aged 66) was working on a building site when he was struck by an HGV and dragged under its wheels, sustaining multiple orthopaedic injuries including bilateral leg crush injuries and a left upper-limb amputation. Liability and rehabilitation funding were both contested before resolution. Settled for £2,000,000.

Fry v COGx Festival Limited (pending)

Mr Stephen Fry, the broadcaster and author, sustained significant orthopaedic injuries in a fall from the stage after giving a speech at the O2 Arena. Multiple potential defendants given the devolved responsibility for stage design and construction. Liability firmly in dispute; preliminary issue trial anticipated.

Earlier Notable Cases

CXD v Piskov (2021)

Child claimant suffered significant traumatic brain injury resulting in marked cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric symptoms amplifying his pre-existing ADHD. Settled just before trial for £6.6 million.

PC Sharrock v (1) Woods (2) MIB (2023)

Test case funded by the Police Federation. PC Sharrock was injured when carrying out a tactical contact with an uninsured vehicle driven by an intoxicated criminal. The MIB argued that because PC Sharrock had deliberately driven into contact with the offender, his injury did not arise from the defendant’s negligence and was therefore irrecoverable. Although nominal in value (£5,000), the case was heard in the High Court for its legal significance. The MIB withdrew its defence on the morning of trial; judgment was entered for the claimant.

Emily Lewis (Deceased) & 11 Others v (1) Lawrence (2) Seadogz Limited

Tragic collision in August 2020 between a high-speed Rigid Inflatable Boat operated by Seadogz and a marine buoy off Southampton. Emily Lewis sustained fatal chest crush injuries; the remaining passengers sustained physical and / or psychiatric injuries. Subject of a Marine Accident Investigation and criminal proceedings for gross negligence manslaughter. Jeremy represented all twelve passengers in the civil claims.

MXB v RXB (2020)

Claimant knocked off scooter sustaining marked traumatic brain injury. Despite remarkable physical recovery, lack of insight led to repeated failures of rehabilitation. Settled for £3.5 million.

Obi v Patel [2018] EWHC 3985 (QB)

Hard-fought claim for claimant struck by a vehicle on the pavement. Liability initially disputed. Polytrauma. Settled for £3 million. Reported decision concerning a defendant’s late application to admit expert evidence (including life expectancy evidence); application dismissed in its entirety.

AAM v HSBC (2017)

Child claimant suffered life-threatening severe brain injury in a road traffic accident. Remarkable recovery from an initial low-awareness state to the point he could kick a football. Settled for £4.5 million plus annual PPO of £165,000 (capitalised £15 million plus).

JXM v Smith (2018)

Cyclist injured when struck by defendant’s vehicle. Skull fracture, traumatic brain injury and right hemiparesis. Claimant had previously supported a high-achieving oil executive, so replacement care and support were key issues. Settled for £5 million.

Prusek v Tesco (2019)

Claimant cycling without lights in darkness on a dual carriageway was struck by an HGV, sustaining incomplete spinal injury. Liability contested at preliminary issue trial. Settled on the second day of trial for £1.5 million.

Cases of Wider Legal Significance

BXL v The Minister for Education, Sport & Culture, States of Jersey (2019)

One of a team advising local advocates in Jersey on the quantum of a claim arising from a brain injury sustained by a child aged nine months. In the absence of a Damages Act equivalent, arguments centred on the appropriate discount rate, with expert evidence opining a range between -3.9% and -2.5%, which would have produced an award in the tens of millions of pounds. As a direct consequence of this case (and one other in Jersey at the time) Jersey legislated to apply a discount rate of +0.5%. Case settled for under £5 million.

Obi v Patel [2018] EWHC 3985 (QB)

High Court application concerning a defendant’s late attempt to admit expert evidence, including life expectancy evidence. Application dismissed in its entirety.

RXA v L’EQUITE S.A. (2013)

Young son of a high net-worth family sustained tragic brain injuries when struck by a scooter as a pedestrian. 24-hour care and suitably adapted accommodation. Settled for £10 million lump sum plus £400,000 per annum PPO; at the then-applicable discount rate of 2.5% the claim capitalised at between £25 million and £30 million.