A woman has been awarded damages after she was given poor advice by a doctor treating her for injuries she sustained in a car accident.

Lucy Borez, 58, was travelling as a passenger in a car that was hit from the side by a 4 x 4 vehicle. She sustained fractures to her left shoulder, left hip and right elbow. In hospital she underwent surgery to insert metal plates into her arms.

Hospital consultants advised Mrs Borez to use crutches to help her hip recovery. Unfortunately, the strain on her arms was too great and the metal plate in her left shoulder failed.

As a result, Mrs Borez had to have a further four operations to try to correct her shoulder problems. These were unsuccessful and she subsequently lost the use of her left arm and was unable to continue in her job as a personal secretary. Because of the financial pressure she was under, Mrs Borez was forced to sell the family home.

The claim was brought against both the Hospital Trust and the insurers of the driver of the 4 x 4 vehicle. They accepted liability for Mrs Borez's injuries on the basis of 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

Mrs Borez won an undisclosed amount in compensation and is now planning to buy a new home.