We often fight for individuals and families who have experienced traumatic, life-changing events. Some cases we see our clients go on to make incredible recoveries, while others must re-adjust to life, and the challenges that they now face.
One of the best things about what we do is seeing the difference that a successful case, and adequate compensation, can mean for our clients. We have recently caught up with one of our past clients and received some lovely news about how he and his family are doing. With his permission, we share his story. Please note that names have been changed to maintain our client’s privacy, all other details contained about their case and experiences are true.
Our story starts with Adam Macy, a maintenance officer, loving husband to Sarah Macy, and dedicated father to 2 boys.
On the 17th August 2010, Adam was repairing a pergola with a colleague at a Child Care Centre when the worst happened.
While a colleague was passing timber batons, for Adam to move and place into a box trailer, Adam tripped on the draw bar of the trailer, lost his balance, fell, and his head collided with the ground.
What was a brief moment in time changed Adam’s life forever. Adam sustained numerous injuries including a closed head injury and spinal cord injury, with resulting tetraplegia.
Over the subsequent months, as a result of his sustained injuries, Adam also developed Chronic Adjustment Disorder and became heavily depressed.
We met Adam and Sarah in February of 2011, in the Spinal Injury Unit of the Princess Alexander hospital, Brisbane.
We were shocked and saddened at the extent of his injuries. Adam was in chronic pain, required catheterisation, was confined to a wheelchair with no leg movement and at that stage, no upper limb movement.
Given the severity of his injuries and the complexity of the case, our Director Faran Gouldson took on the fight for adequate compensation.
Over the ensuing three years, we formed a close relationship with Adam and Sarah and we were humbled by their love for each other, Sarah’s unwavering commitment to Adam, and spurred on by their strength of spirit.
By February of 2014 the matter proceeded to compulsory conference, but despite best efforts the conference was unsuccessful and very disappointing for both ourselves and the Macy’s as WorkCover Queensland offered $0.
Liability for the injuries Adam sustained was strenuously denied and it was suggested that if Adam wished to obtain compensation he would have to proceed to trial.
Court proceedings were commenced and we aggressively pressed the matter towards trial.
On 27th May of 2014, Adam and Sarah were offered confidential but considerable compensation for their losses, and the case was, after significant consideration, debate and advice, settled. We were delighted with the result, given the position which had always been adopted by WorkCover in defending the claim, and knowing it would put them in the best possible position to move on with their lives.
We recently spoke to Adam and Sarah to catch up on how they are doing post-settlement, and we were inspired by their progress.
Since receiving their compensation they have been active in rebuilding their lives. We were delighted to learn that Adam and Sarah are now planning to build their perfect home, which will mean a great deal to their family and lifestyle. It will provide them all their desired creature comforts, space for Adam and his carers, and an area for Sarah and the boys to have for themselves.
We have put Sarah and Adam in contact with an expert who can assist them in making all the necessary design inclusions when they reach the stage of building.