Paralysed Disley biker Darren Russell gets £4.1m payout
A man left paralysed from the neck down in a motorcycle accident has been awarded a payout of more than £4.1m, his lawyers said.
Darren Russell, 28, from Disley, Cheshire, requires permanent help with his breathing and is in a wheelchair as a result of the crash in 2008.
His Kawasaki was hit by a lorry turning from a side road near Stockport. He suffered a broken neck in the crash.
Mr Russell will also receive £240,000 a year to cover care costs.
A spokeswoman for his lawyers said the package was confirmed at an out-of-court settlement meeting.
Mr Russell's breathing initially depended on a ventilator. He has since had a device fitted during surgery to help him breathe.
Three separate accident reconstruction experts were instructed to investigate the case and legal proceedings began in the summer of 2010.
The case went to a High Court trial in Liverpool to determine the issue of liability.
Despite the defendant's insurers denying liability at the trial, the judge found the lorry driver to be fully responsible for the incident.
Compensation was awarded to Mr Russell to cover his rehabilitation and care needs.
Ed Fletcher, chief executive of Fletchers Solicitors, said: "This case highlights the devastating impact that careless driving can have on someone's life.
"Mr Russell will be a wheelchair user for life, needing around-the-clock care."