In May 2023, David Littlejohn sustained catastrophic injuries while climbing at Avon Gorge, Bristol. During a climb called the Arms Race, he fell 56 feet after his climbing partner, Shane Williams, allegedly released the rope without clear communication. The incident left Littlejohn with multiple fractures and other serious complications.

He described the aftermath:

“I was in agony and although I could feel my legs, I was unable to move them because of the pain in both my legs, ribs, pelvis and left arm. I remember that Shane told me to remain still and he summoned the emergency services. I lost consciousness again when the emergency services arrived.”

He spent 87 days in hospital, undergoing surgeries and intensive rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation journey

After being discharged, Littlejohn was reliant on his wife for nursing care and could only manage short distances with a walker. Community physiotherapy was limited, so he accessed private sessions through his employer’s health scheme and as part of his claim, which proved vital for his recovery.

Reflecting on his journey, he shared:

“At the start of this process I found it mentally tough to think about the claim, which by its nature must be backward looking, when the mental rehabilitation is forward looking. Psychiatry sessions had me focusing on what I could do from here forwards, as I could influence that, whereas ruminating about the past was destructive and prone to trigger depression.”

He continues to experience chronic pain and faces possible further surgery, including potential amputation if reconstructive procedures are unsuccessful. Despite these challenges, he remains determined to regain independence, using a four-wheel walker and building endurance through physiotherapy.

Support from Stewarts Law

Stewarts Law and Stephanie Clarke played a pivotal role in supporting Littlejohn through the legal process, bringing a claim on his behalf and highlighting the importance of clear communication and responsibility in climbing partnerships. The case was listed for trial in the High Court, but a successful settlement was reached reflecting a deduction for contributory negligence.

A key milestone was securing the release of funds for medical treatment, which allowed Littlejohn to focus on his recovery. He expressed gratitude for the empathetic yet professional approach of the legal team:

“When I think back to those first dark days in hospital, I now realise how professional you were. You were empathetic but still managed to ensure all the details were correct which paved the way for a smooth process later on. You kept me on the right track. Thank you.”

Moving forward

The support from Stewarts Law and the successful resolution of the claim have enabled Littlejohn and his family to focus on the future and look ahead with hope:

“It is such a huge relief to finally settle. We can now move on with life and think about the future instead of dragging up the past… It’s time now to look forward to 2026.”