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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctor paralysed by bike ‘breaking in two' awarded £4.5m
A doctor who fractured his spine when his new £2,300 bike 'sheared in two' has won £4.5 million damages Dr Daniel Gordon, 31, was travelling at around 15mph when his new all-terrain gravel bike collapsed beneath him, throwing him to the ground. The accident in Inverness in August 2020 left Dr Gordon with no use of his lower body despite spinal surgery and months of rehabilitation. Dr Gordon was seeking £10million in compensation from the insurers behind Planet X, the Yorkshire-based bike company, but settled for a reduced sum before a five-day hearing was due to start this week. The agreement includes provision for Dr Gordon, who is represented by Stewarts, a London law firm, to return to court for increased damages if further injuries are caused by a spinal cyst. '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,' said Dr Gordon. 'I hope now to be able to move forwards and show that despite this injury, life can still be rewarding and fulfilling.' Dr Gordon was working as a junior doctor at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, when the front forks of a Planet X Tempest SRAM Force 1 titanium bike sheared in two on a grass slope. His compensation claim was initially against Planet X as the seller of the bike, but after the company was declared insolvent in 2023, his lawyers pursued the claim against its insurers, Arch Insurance (UK) Limited and Chubb European Group SE, who initially rejected the doctor's claim. Planet X marketed the expensive gravel bike as a 'go-anywhere' bicycle, adding that 'the only thing Tempest doesn't have is limits'. The defendants claimed this was 'marketing puff' and should not have been relied upon by Dr Gordon. They also claimed the bike was subject to a US standard of classification for bikes, which meant it should not be ridden over any jumps or drops of more than 15cm. However, there was no mention of this on the company's website or in the manual for the bike. During previous proceedings, it emerged that testing by the parties' respective experts found that the carbon fibre forks on Dr Gordon's bike were materially thinner and weaker than two exemplar forks provided by the manufacturer. Since the incident, Dr Gordon has managed to return to his medical career with NHS Scotland and works four days a week as a specialist registrar in respiratory medicine. Last year, he married his fiancée, Laura Colacino, also a doctor, and honeymooned in Peru. He has taken up hand cycling and completed this year's London Marathon. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
STV News
07-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
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
