A13 lorry crash sees musician win over ?1million payout | Echo
Gio Desogus, 32, spent ten days in a coma and underwent 14 different operationsafter being involved in the terrifying smash with a 37 tonne HGV in 2007.
The mechanical engineer had been on his way home from working in Essex when the lorry veered onto the wrong side of the road and crashed into his car head-on.
Gio, 26 at the time, suffered severe traumatic brain injuries and a collapsed lung and was left with fractures to his left arm, both legs and right metatarsal.
He also suffered multiple left rib fractures and nerve damage to the wrist and his family were told he would not survive.
But Gio, who was a drummer in two bands and a keen footballer, went on to defy the odds and made a miracle recovery after the crash on the A13 in London.
Lawyers at Higgs LLP have now secured Gio a seven figure settlement to help support his ongoing needs for the life-changing injuries he suffered.
Gio, of Kidderminster, Worcs., said: “Life was good before the accident.
“I was busy with work and had a good social life, playing football and being a drummer in two bands
“It all changed with that accident. On the day, I was told by my manager I could leave work early and I was heading back home for the weekend when the incident happened.
“The first thing I remember in hospital is waking up and my sister running over to me where they informed me I had been in a coma for ten days and had an accident.
“I couldn’t move, I was debilitated, dazed and confused. I was very scared and very worried for my family as I could see they were in distress.
“At the time, my family were given very grim news and I wasn’t expected to pull through.
Gio and Higgs partner Steven Santy (Image: SWNS / Higgs LLP)
“The next few months were very tough. I had 14 different operations at three different hospitals.
“A few months after the accident, I was contemplating what my future may be and there was a huge amount of uncertainty, worry and fear.
“I’ve had incredible support from family and friends and the work Higgs LLP have done for me has been fantastic.
“Higgs have been there for me every step of the way since the accident and helped in virtually every aspect of my recovery and rehabilitation.
“From the position I was in, I’ve made a good recovery and, while I will never get close to my full mobility back, I’m able to live a relatively independent life.
“I’ve made great progress and I can look to the future with optimism.”
The exact size of the payout has not been disclosed but the law firm revealed it was a seven-figure sum.
Higgs partner Steven Santy said: “This was a very complex and challenging case to work on, not least because of the magnitude of Gio’s injuries and his rehabilitation requirements.
“We have helped Gio through every stage of both his physical and lifestyle recovery, whether that be securing interim payments for bills in the wake of the accident, securing housing or appointing and working alongside the rehabilitation case manager to help Go back to living as normal a life as possible.
“While securing a client’s financial futures is clearly an extremely important element, as a firm we are committed to so much more than that.
”Gio is a fantastic young man who has dealt with this life-changing incident superbly and we are proud to have played our part in helping him reach a position where he can look to the future with genuine optimism.”