Holidays in Tenerife turned into a nightmare for Sonia Woodward, 63, when the scooter she had hired malfunctioned, resulting in such a severe injury that she was warned she might face amputation of her leg.
The incident transpired in 2015 while Sonia was visiting the island with her husband, Alan, and her father-in-law, Cyril Harwood. She had rented a Mobility Scooter to assist her father-in-law but decided to test it within the hotel premises before venturing out, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Unfortunately, the brakes failed unexpectedly, forcing her to collide with a post to avoid injuring a group of people. The collision caused a significant laceration to her leg, resulting in an open wound of extreme severity.
Emergency surgeries and lasting effects
Sonia had to cover the costs of an emergency surgery in Tenerife, and upon her return to the United Kingdom, she underwent another procedure. By this time, her injury had turned black due to the seriousness of the damage sustained.
Sonia had to cover the expenses of an emergency surgery in Tenerife, followed by another operation upon her return to the United Kingdom. / TDM
Fortunately, doctors were able to save her leg, but nearly a decade later, Sonia still suffers from the aftermath of the accident:
- Muscle weakness around the ankle
- Hypersensitivity of the skin
- Visible scarring and circulatory issues
- Chronic pain and numbness
Moreover, she was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition that medical professionals have linked to the trauma from the accident.
A decade-long legal struggle
Following the incident, Sonia filed a claim against the rental company with the assistance of the legal firm Slater and Gordon. However, the insurer Mapfre initially rejected any claims of liability.
After a prolonged judicial process, the court awarded her compensation, but the company challenged the decision on two occasions. Ultimately, the matter was resolved in her favour in the Court of Appeals following a dispute over the compensation interests.
The brakes failed unexpectedly, leading to a collision with a post in order to avoid hitting a group of people / TDM
“It has been a dreadful ordeal”
Sonia describes the journey as exhausting and disheartening, but she never gave in:
“It has been a decade of fighting for justice. My family and I had to testify in court, but I am strong and I was determined not to surrender. I was steadfast in my intention to win this battle.”
Lawyer Nicholas Lukacs, a specialist in travel accidents, commended Sonia’s bravery:
“This was a harrowing incident. Sonia transitioned from enjoying a family holiday to confronting the possibility of losing her leg due to a faulty scooter. Her resilience and determination have been commendable, and we are pleased to have secured a positive outcome for her.”
