Keith suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after a road traffic accident. In this video, both he and his wife Diane tell their story, with Tim Walters, Managing Partner of Serious Law, who helped their case and continues to support them as Keith’s Deputy of the Court of Protection.
Diane: He was about five minutes away from home; it was about 11 o’ clock at night. I understand that a car couldn’t co-ordinate ‘round the bend, travelling too fast, and went head on into Keith.
Then I found out that he’d been in this bad car accident. It was obvious from the first words he spoke that he was in a 30 year time warp, so he didn’t know me for two weeks.
We’d been married for 24 years and he can’t even remember us meeting, and he can’t remember us getting married. He remembers nothing of our married life at all.
I never realised what would be involved but if I had have done, I would have been petrified. I understand that solicitors specialise in certain areas, and I knew nothing about Serious Law.
I have realised what a great help they are in this certain field of expertise. They seem to have the answers.
When Keith had his accident we were involved with another firm. In hindsight, they were nowhere near as good as Serious Law. As soon as they came on the scene it was altogether different.
I felt as though there was somebody there that I could speak to and have contact with, and if need be have personal contact with whereas before I felt miles away.
Tim: As soon as we got involved in Keith’s case things took off because of our experience of serious injury cases.
We knew the lines of enquiry that we needed to start – which hadn’t been started to date, sadly – and we knew the levels of evidence that we would need in many different areas which hadn’t been sourced or facilitated so far.
So we moved on getting those in place and moving as soon as we possibly could, and that started to make an immediate difference to Keith’s case and therefore his wellbeing.
Diane: It was obvious when he came home that Keith was having difficulty with the stairs and various things, so we were looking out for a bungalow to move to.
We saw this one and we both felt this was right, so there was enough money available to buy it.
Tim: The most important thing for Keith and Diane when I became involves as the Deputy for Keith was to ensure that they got into their new home as soon as possible.
They needed an adapted house and one was chosen. We went through the process of buying it for them using the settlement moneys that had been achieved by Serious Law in the first place.
I kept involved by ensuring that at different stages work had been done before I was prepared to release any funds – to protect the funds; to make sure we weren’t paying any money over willy-nilly and that the builder knew that he needed to do a good job for the right kind of money.
I tried to do that as if it were my own house.
Diane: I couldn’t have done it on my own at all. They’ve taken on all the burden of this place, and they’re still doing it.
I didn’t understand how important it was initially for Keith to have a Deputy of the Court of Protection for all his financial affairs because at first I thought “Well I can do it all”, but then I realised that I couldn’t do it all.
And if I have any difficulties, Tim’s at the other end of the phone and I can talk to him about anything, and if he can, he’ll help me.
Tim: I have a very strong relationship with Keith and Diane, I do. I think that they think that as well.
I try my best not to get too involved in their life but the things I do behind the scenes ensures that it is – and should be – a strong relationship.
I like them immensely so yes, we do have a strong relationship and I expect that it will continue for a long period of time – I hope so, anyway.
Keith: He’s a good lad. He’s done well for me.
Diane: All I can say is without Serious Law I would be hopelessly lost. They have been absolutely superb. I can’t praise them highly enough because I wouldn’t be where I am now if it hadn’t been for them.
Tim: I think that they would say that Serious Law and the lawyers and people they’ve dealt with have made a difference to their circumstances.
It’s a small part – it’s a massive journey for them, a massive life-changing event for them but being able to help them with certain aspects of their life, we’ve made our mark, I think, and in a nice way.
You can just see it in the way they are with each other and the looks they give each other and the way that they talk to each other that they’re happy, and that makes me happy.
Keith: If one’s in predicament, they’ll be very beneficial and supporting to you… if you call upon them.
