Doctor wins £4.5m settlement after bike crash left him paralysed
An Inverness doctor has won a £4.5m settlement after his new bike broke in half, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
Dr Daniel Gordon, who was working as a resident doctor at Raigmore Hospital, was traveling at 15mph on a grassy slope when the carbon front forks on his Planet X Tempest SRAM Force 1 titanium bike failed, and he crashed in August 2020.
He suffered life-changing spinal cord injuries and has been left with no function in his legs.
He will be a wheelchair user for the rest of his life.
After the seller of the bike, Planet X, became insolvent in 2023, Dr Gordon pursued the company's insurers, Arch Insurance (UK) Limited and Chubb European Group SE.
A five-day trial on the issue of liability was due to commence at the High Court in England on Tuesday. Stewarts Danny Gordon
However, it was agreed that the Inverness doctor would receive a sum of £4.5m.
The settlement includes a provision for Dr Gordon to return to court and seek further damages in the event he experiences a rare but serious and untreatable deterioration caused by a spinal cyst.
Dr Gordon said: 'Despite a catastrophic and life-changing injury, I've been fortunate enough to be supported by Stewarts in pursuing a claim against Planet X's insurers, the result of which means my future care and accommodation needs can be met.
'Stewarts have been exceptionally proficient, compassionate, and offered me clear guidance through an incredibly difficult, complex, and personally challenging time.
'I also have to thank Ewan Stirling, a friend and coach who first noticed the unusual way in which the fork sheared, without whom I would likely not have taken any action.
'I hope now to be able to move forwards and show that despite this injury, life can still be rewarding and fulfilling.'
Julian Chamberlayne, partner and head of aviation and international injury, added: 'It has been a privilege to represent Danny Gordon and to achieve this settlement, which will help him fund his needs following his spinal injury.
'He has shown huge strength of character in not allowing this life-changing injury to stop him from returning to work with the NHS, and in his determination to continue cycling, now using a hand bike.
'This case has highlighted that the regulation, testing, and manufacture of gravel bikes warrants closer attention, to ensure they are safe for the adventurous use that is shown in their advertising and expected by purchasers.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cornwall farmers to get support vaccinating badgers in new scheme
Farmers in Cornwall will soon be able to administer badger vaccinations themselves to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The UK's National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) will work with farmers across the region as part of government plans to end badger programme will launch later this year and comes as new figures show the number of badgers culled in England in 2024 fell by 12% compared to 2023.A total of 4,110 badgers were also vaccinated against the disease in England last year, an increase of more than 1,000 from 2023. 'Hardship and stress' Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said the figures show "the clear progress we are making" to deliver a bTB eradication package "to end badger culling by the end of this parliament"."Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long," he added."It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations." Dr Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: "The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work, as vaccinations continues to increase and we remain committed to take a data-led and scientific approach as we transition to fully adopting non-lethal control methods for managing this insidious disease."Last August, a four-year pilot vaccination programme showed the percentage of badgers testing positive for bTB in Cornwall in the study area dropped from 16% to 0%.
Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
How to remove crusty brown skin patches and warts at home. Doctors often won't treat these unsightly growths. Now our experts reveal what really can help... and when to be concerned about cancer
What do banana skin, nail varnish and garlic have in common? They are said to help clear warts – and what's more, there is some evidence that they might actually work. Around 10 per cent of the population (30 per cent among children and young adults) are living with a wart.
Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
I ignored pins and needles - days later I was paralysed from the neck down due to a surprisingly common condition
Father-of-two Luke Pickering thought little of it when he woke up with pins and needles in his hands one morning. Yet within 24 hours, the sensation had spread to his toes - and there was far worse to come. Within days Luke, 31, a mechanic from Nottingham, would find himself almost fully paralysed, unable even to move his eyes enough to close them for sleep.
