Latest news with #PlanetXTempestSRAMForce1
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
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Health
- Press and Journal
Paralysed Inverness doctor wins £4.5m in settlement after bike failure
An Inverness doctor has won £4.5 million after a bike failure caused him to crash and suffer a life-changing injury. In August 2020, Dr Daniel Gordon sustained a spinal cord injury when the front forks of his £2,300 all-terrain gravel bike sheared in two on a grass slope in Inverness. The crash left the Raigmore Hospital doctor paralysed. He lost neurological function in his legs and trunk and was told he would be dependent on a wheelchair for the rest of his life. At the end of 2023, Dr Gordon sued the insurers of his Planet X Tempest SRAM Force 1 titanium bike for £10million. Dr Gordon. Image: Stewarts. A five-day trial was due to commence at the high court on Tuesday. However, parties negotiated in advance and agreed Dr Gordon should receive a settlement sum of £4.5m – treated as 50% of the full value of his claim. The settlement includes 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 wins £4.5m in settlement Originally, lawyers from the international injury team at law firm Stewarts were instructed to bring proceedings to the English High Court. A claim was set against Planet X's insurers Arch Insurance (UK) Limited and Chubb European Group SE after the bike company became insolvent. Dr Gordon is from Inverness. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson. During the court proceedings, experts found the carbon fibre forks on Dr Gordon's bicycle were materially thinner and weaker than two example forks provided by the manufacturer, Huizhou FlyBike Sports Equipment Co Ltd. Inverness doctor continues passion with hand cycling Despite his life-changing injury, Dr Gordon has managed to return to his medical career with NHS Scotland and currently works four days a week as a specialist respiratory registrar. He has also taken up hand cycling, completing the hand cycling tour of Mallorca in 2022 and the London Marathon in 2025. Dr Gordon married his fiancée, Laura Colacino, in 2024 and together they went on honeymoon to Peru, including a visit to the site of Machu Picchu. Dr Gordon has taken up hand cycling. Image: Facebook. '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,' he said. '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.' Read more Inverness doctor's paralysing bike crash compensation claim for £10m
