Last month, Parklane Plowden Chambers held their annual Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Conference at the DoubleTree Hilton, Leeds. The focus of the day was ‘Litigation and rehabilitation: the role solicitors play in rebuilding lives.

Our client, Ed Hudson, his solicitor David Tomlinson (Barratts Solicitors) his consultant Mr Pradeep Thumbikat and Jo Shaw, his physiotherapist at STEPS were invited along to the conference to share Ed’s story, journey to recovery and demonstrate the EksoGT exoskeleton suit.

The conference was held at the DoubleTree Hilton, Leeds and nearly 100 delegates attended. The audience was made up of predominantly personal injury and clinical negligence solicitors and case managers.

During the morning sessions, delegates heard from Matthew Nakonesky from Speech Therapy North East on ‘Cognitive Communication Disorders in Rehabilitation’, Dr Karen Simpson, Consultant in Pain Medicine & Anaesthesia on ‘Chronic Pain in rehabilitation’ and Dr Ruth Kent, Consultant Neurologist on ‘Ageing with physical and cognitive disabilities; the use of rehabilitation therapies and technology to future proof your clients interests.

Head of Chambers, Andrew Axon also chaired a Panel Debate with John Davis (Consultant Solicitor, Sintons), Daniel Herman (Partner, Stewarts) and Ken Young (Partner at Keoghs) who discussed both sides of the litigation process and shared their own views on the rehabilitation code, interim payments and INA’s rehabilitation.

The entire afternoon was dedicated to Ed’s story and the team that have treated him.

This was the first time Ed has ever spoken publicly about his accident, and he did a wonderful job. His talk was honest, engaging and totally inspiring. He shared his memories from the day of his accident, when at just 23 years old he was knocked off his bike on his way to work at The Nottingham University Hospital and suffered a life changing injury. As a newly qualified doctor, he was in, what he described as a ‘unique position’, as he was able to diagnose himself on the side of the road, knowing instantly the severity of his injuries.

Ed then shared his journey from being in hospital in Nottingham, to the Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield before he arrived at STEPS in September 2018, where in the space of a few months, Ed’s arm movement had improved, and he had significantly more stamina. Along with intensive rehabilitation including a number of therapies such as hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and respiratory muscle strengthening, Ed was also able to trial specialist equipment such as the Berkel Bike and anatomical FES systems at STEPS.

Ed described rehab as,

"Rehab is about cultivating an attitude and

having people around you who encourage you to take steps forward.”

Following 9 months of rehabilitation, Ed left STEPS and moved into a newly adapted bungalow with his girlfriend Izzy.

“My world is now as big as it was before my accident,

I can smile for the camera and I can mean it.”

Mr Pradeep Thumbikat, Consultant Surgeon in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at STEPS discussed Ed’s injuries and rehabilitation journey, followed by Jo Shaw, Physiotherapist at STEPS who discussed Ed’s rehabilitation treatment and progress.

Following a short break, Alex Jones from Ectron Ltd explained the functions and benefits that exoskeleton suits have on clients as part of their rehabilitation, before Ed stole the show and demonstrated the suit, live for all the delegates.

A video of Ed in the suit can be viewed here.

Below are some reactions from delegates following the conference:

Thanks to:

Ed Hudson
David Tomlinson
Pradeep Thumbikat
Jo Shaw
Alex Jones – Ectron Ltd
Louis Martinelli - Neurological Physiotherapist
Parklane Plowden Chambers
Innova Care Concepts