An apprentice electrician who was left struggling to walk after being struck by a load that fell off a forklift truck at a west Suffolk building site is planning a 10k race.
Liam Hamilton, now 22, suffered a traumatic brain injury and fractured skull when he was struck on the head by a load that had fallen from a forklift truck in windy conditions on Weston Homes' building site in Bury St Edmunds in February 2022.
The then-19-year-old, who was wearing a safety helmet at the time, was resuscitated at the scene and taken to hospital, where doctors feared he may not survive.
He underwent emergency brain surgery and spent a month in hospital before being discharged home where his parents looked after almost all aspects of his care.
Mr Hamilton, of Ware in Hertfordshire, is now training to take part in a 10k run in Regents Park, London, this October to raise money for the brain injury charity Headway.
He said: “I went from doing normal things for my age, like going out and playing golf, to someone a lot more withdrawn. I couldn’t really walk any distances and couldn’t walk and talk at the same time.
“Those first few months and trying to come to terms with everything was difficult. However, I was determined to try and overcome my injuries. When I started my rehab and physio I could really see the progress I was making.
“It gave me so much more drive to keep going. It’s hard work and there have been difficult times physically and emotionally, but I can’t thank everyone enough for the support they’ve given me.
Mr Hamilton added: “I’m determined to reclaim more of my old life and I keep setting myself rehab goals and the next one is the 10k. My training with my personal trainer is going well so I’m hopeful of completing the race.
“I just hope that by sharing my story I can potentially help others going through something similar.”
Mr Hamilton has joined his legal team at Irwin Mitchell, who helped secure him access to the specialist support and rehabilitation he requires, in supporting Action for Brain Injury Week.
Sarah Griggs, the expert workplace accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We join Liam in supporting Action for Brain Injury Week which is an incredibly important campaign in highlighting the help and support available.
"Nobody should be left to pick up the pieces of a brain injury alone."
Working alongside Weston Homes plc, Irwin Mitchell has secured an interim payment to help fund Mr Hamilton's rehabilitation.
A separate Health and Safety Executive investigation is ongoing into the incident.
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