The Brief
Ella, who suffered a double knee amputation due to medical negligence, faced the challenge of finding a suitable home. At 31 years old, she went into hospital for a planned C-section with her ninth baby.
Unfortunately, during the surgery, she experienced a severe post-partum haemorrhage that was not managed properly. Ella was placed into an induced coma, and after five days, the doctors decided to amputate both of her legs.
View the VideoMedical Negligence Claim Following an Amputation
Richard Blair, a partner at WBW Solicitors specialising in clinical negligence litigation, was instructed by Ella to handle her claim. It was identified that Ella required a more suitable and adapted property to meet her complex needs and mobility issues. At the time of the accident, Ella and her family were living in a three-bedroom property that proved completely unsuitable.
Richard instructed PLG to find a home that would cater to Ella’s needs.
“It was clear that Ella was going to need a modified home following her double amputation. But she also needed to remain close to friends and family and to ensure the children could continue at the same schools. It was really difficult to find a suitable property in the strict search area, but PLG managed to find a great property that was still within reach of Ella’s support network.”
The Challenge
Ella and her family live in Torquay and wanted to remain close to their friends, family, and support network. They also wanted to stay close to the schools that her children already attended. Glenn Hotchin and the PLG team spent time with Ella and her family to understand her specific needs and requirements and began searching for a property within the designated area.
Finding a property that is right for someone with mobility difficulties in a specific area in a town like Torquay can be tricky. Glenn Hotchin, Managing Director at PLG, explains:
“Torquay, as anyone who has visited will know, rises quite steeply from the coast, making finding a suitable property for a person with mobility difficulties more challenging. We needed to have a property that was level without steep slopes, but we also had a tight search area to look in. It was like looking for the proverbial needle in what was also quite a difficult haystack!”
The search for a suitable property in Torquay posed considerable challenges, especially in the area Ella preferred, which included some of the steepest sections of the town. After an extensive search, the team identified a character dormer bungalow within the area that Ella needed to be in, which could be converted for the family and the grounds landscaped to allow for level access outside. Crucially, it was close to Ella’s supportive friends and family. Since Ella cannot drive, having easy access to this network was vital for her.
The Solution
Glenn Hotchin, director at PLG, project managed the adaptations required on this property to ensure it was perfect for Ella.
“We converted the double garage and extended at the rear of the property to create great living accommodation downstairs. We then installed a through-floor lift which allows Ella access to her children’s bedrooms, which was really important for her. We increased the size of the dormers to enlarge the space upstairs and landscaped the garden so Ella could access it easily.”
We place our clients at the heart of every project to ensure it meets all of their needs, from the adaptations to the interior design, each home is different. Ella’s involvement in the design of her home has enabled her to feel engaged throughout the entire process while ensuring the house meets her own unique style.
“The building team were great, incorporating Ella’s ideas and we loved having Ella design the interiors when the adaptations were complete.”
The Result
Ella and her family moved into their amazing new home at the end of 2022, and the property has already transformed the lives of her, her partner, and their children.
PLG Consultants have a dedicated team of experts who offer a comprehensive property search service that ensures our clients find a home that meets their exact needs. Our team utilises their in-depth knowledge of the housing market and existing industry relationships to identify the most suitable options for people living with disabilities.
We are here to assist at every step of the journey – from researching the market, and evaluating the possibilities, to renting a temporary space before purchasing a forever home.
Contact us today for more information.
