Thompsons Solicitors and Unite Legal Services have secured £10,000 for a member’s wife who suffered multiple injuries and was rendered unconscious in a road traffic accident.

Self-employed Kathleen Walker, 53, was the front seat passenger of a car involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle on Styrrup Lane near Oldcotes, Nottinghamshire.

She was airlifted to hospital after the accident, which left her unconscious and caused extensive bruising across her ribs, lower back and thighs. She has since had physiotherapy to ease the pain.

As a result of the injuries suffered in the collision, Kathleen’s colleague had to help her run her business as she was unable to drive for nine months. She has only been able to return to work part-time.

She contacted her husband’s union, Unite, and instructed road accident specialists Thompsons Solicitors to make a compensation claim.

Kathleen said: “I don’t really remember much of what happened but, when I came to, I was in an incredible amount of pain. Any kind of movement was a real struggle for the first few weeks and, even after the bruising went down, I had to rely on pain relief to get through the day.

“I’m extremely grateful to Unite Legal Services and Thompsons for supporting me – even though I’m not a member they helped me and my family in our time of need. I was able to cover the costs of physiotherapy and move on from what happened.”

Kevin Hepworth, East Midlands regional legal officer at Unite the Union, said: “Unite Legal Services is proud to fight for the rights of our members and their families when they are injured through no fault of their own. We have supported tens of thousands of people injured at work, on the roads and abroad.

“Kathleen’s husband’s Unite membership afforded her free cover, which meant she received 100 per cent of the compensation - unlike high street law firms, which deduct up to 25 per cent. She was safe in the knowledge that she was being looked after by legal experts.”