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A woman whose foot was reversed over by a car while she stood on the pavement chatting to a neighbour has received £40,000 in compensation after help from her husband’s trade union.
Marcella Kelly, 62, from Hoole in Chester was left with a broken foot and severe soft tissue damage after the car knocked her down and ran over her left leg in September 2007.
The injury left her on crutches for several weeks. After physiotherapy she is now able to walk again but she still suffers from pain in her foot and cannot walk for long periods.
On the day of the accident she was stood on the pavement outside Moss Chemist on Faulkner Street in Hoole when she was knocked down by a black Rover car.
Driver reversed over her foot
The car had been parked partially on the pavement and the driver reversed over her foot and drove off without realising he had injured her. He was later stopped by a passerby who saw the accident.
Mrs Kelly said: “I thought I was going to die. All I could think about was protecting my head. I had no idea what had hit me. I thought my leg was going to burst with the weight of the car.”
Severely traumatised by the accident Mrs Kelly received psychological treatment but is still wary when walking along pavements, particularly where cars are parked on them.
She still relies on assistance around the house especially with heavy housework.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
Following the accident her husband, a teacher at an independent school in Chester, contacted his union, the NASUWT, to see if his wife could be helped through its legal services.
The union instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation from the driver of the Rover.
Mrs Kelly said: “The union has been a great help. Thompsons made everything very easy and I’m happy with the final settlement. The last thing I ever expected was to be run over whilst on the pavement and it has made me much more cautious.”
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, added:
“This is a good example of the many benefits of union membership. Our legal scheme gets family members free help from the most experienced title="Personal Injury">personal injury firm in the UK and the result here shows what they can do.”
Imogen Wetton from Thompsons Solicitors said: “We are pleased to have been able to help. This was a horrific experience and in addition to an interim payment for psychological help the final damages will help towards the care and assistance Mrs Kelly continues to need due to her physical limitations.”