Claimant: Carol Summers
Claim: Road traffic accident Motherwell
Award: £10,000 interim payment

TEACHER Carol Summers was one year into her first job when she was involved in a horrific three-car road accident in which one driver died. The 25-year-old was seriously injured in the smash, which was not her fault, and had to sign off work for almost nine months.

During this time she was only entitled to two months' full pay and two on half pay. Carol, from Motherwell,says: "At first I contacted my insurance company, but they were really unhelpful and took ages to return my calls. "If I'd relied on them I would probably still be waiting for a phone call."

A friend told her about Thompsons and associate Patrick McGuire represented her, winning her a £10,000 interim payment from the insurance firm representing the driver who had admitted his guilt in the accident. "Thompsons couldn't do enough for me they were attentive and Patrick was brilliant. The £10,000 has made all the difference. "It let me get on with my life and keep my head above the water," says Carol.