A business woman who was forced to give up her career after she was involved in a car accident has received £309,500 in compensation after help from Thompsons Solicitors.

The 52-year-old from Cumbria suffered severe injuries to her neck after her car was hit at speed from behind whilst she was waiting at traffic lights in January 2006.

The accident happened on the A595 near Workington as she was driving into work. Although in shock, she managed to get to work on the day of the accident but over the course of the next few days the pain in her neck and an overwhelming nausea became so bad she was forced to go sick and ultimately was forced to take ill health retirement.

The mother-of-two suffers from chronic neck pain and nausea which means she cannot sit or stand for long periods of time. The nausea can on occasions be so bad that she cannot leave the house.

Likely to suffer pain and nausea for the rest of her life

Different medications and therapies haven’t helped her condition and she has been told that she is likely to suffer from the pain and nausea the rest of her life.

The European Communications Manager with a packaging manufacturer who had never taken time off in 20 years said: “The day of the accident was a normal morning drive to work. When I was hit I went into shock and I couldn’t feel any pain but as the days went on the pain became worse and the feeling of nausea became overwhelming.

“I was determined that I would eventually return to work but I have now had to accept that will never be possible.”

Following the accident she instructed solicitors to help her claim compensation from the other car driver’s insurers.

Thompsons made claim for compensation

Her claim was transferred to Thompsons Solicitor in May 2010 and just a year later Thompsons was successful in settling the claim out of court.

A serious injury specialist from Thompsons Solicitors who dealt with the claim, said: “Whiplash injuries have been getting a lot of bad press recently. This case shows how they can be both severe and incapacitating.

“The level of compensation reflects the massive impact this accident has had on our client’s life. She lives in constant pain with an overwhelming feeling of nausea and has been forced to give up her much-loved career.”