The owner of a specialist brewery who was forced to give up his hands’ on role in the business he had built up after he was hit by a car on a pelican crossing has received £58,000 in compensation.

The Lancashire man’s legs were broken when, part way across the pelican crossing, a car ploughed into him in 2008.

He suffered two serious fractures to his right leg and a fracture in his left foot leaving him immobile for a number of weeks.

The 58-year-old who set up his brewery in 2005, was unable to work for more than a year and still suffers from pain in his right leg which means he finds the physical aspects of brewing beer extremely difficult. He has to rely on hired help.

Thompsons Solicitors made Personal Injury Claim

Following the accident he instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.

The driver of the car admitted liability and the claim was settled out of court.

He said: “Being run over on a pelican crossing is something you never imagine will happen. I was in shock but the pain soon kicked in. My right leg in particular was a real mess and with having a broken left foot as well I was virtually immobile for a long time. It became clear quite quickly that my right leg would never fully recover and that has forced me to rethink how I run my brewery business which I set up as a labour of love.

“I’ve had to take a step back from doing the brewing as it’s just too physical for me with my limitations. It’s been a huge disappointment to lose a hands on role.”

Mike Duffy from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Our client was entirely justified in thinking that he ought to be safe on a pedestrian crossing when he was knocked down by this car. Coping with being immobile for as long as he was as well as his extremely painful injuries was one thing but sadly the pain continues and there is the added frustration of being unable to fully enjoy the business he started from scratch.”