The family of a Royal Mail driver who was left in a vegetative state after being hit by a lorry have launched High Court legal action against the postal service. Petar Mitev, 50, suffered catastrophic brain injuries when he was mown down by a 7.5 tonne HGV as he walked across a zebra crossing at a delivery depot.
The night shift worker has remained in hospital since the horror collision at Royal Mail ’s Jubilee Mail Centre in Feltham, West London, on December 12 last year. The lorry driver’s family have now issued High Court proceedings against his employer and are seeking damages to fund his ongoing care.
Lawyers claim Royal Mail is responsible for a number of health and safety failings which led to Petar being left with skull fractures, a bleed on the brain and bruising of his brain . His brother Mityo, 54, who flew from his home in Canada to the UK where he has remained since, said the family are “praying Petar can pull through”.
He said: “I’ll never forget the day I got a call saying Petar had been involved in an accident. I knew he was in a bad way, but nothing prepared me for seeing him in hospital.
“Petar was a strong and extremely active man. He loved fishing, went to the gym every day and was in training for Tough Mudder. To see him go from the brother I knew to the one I saw in hospital was heartbreaking.
“Me and Petar’s partner, Jo, have been by his bedside ever since. We massage his arms and legs, talk to him and play music that Petar enjoyed listening to.
“We’re thankful to the doctors and nurses at the hospital for everything they’re trying to do to help Petar. However, he needs more specialist care. The last few months have been a nightmare and we’re praying Petar can pull through.
“Petar has always been hardworking and loved his job. He was injured at work and the least we think that Royal Mail can do is help support him and give him the opportunity to make a recovery.”
The legal action being taken by the family
Petar, originally from Bulgaria, moved to the UK to live in Bracknell, Berkshire, in 2007 and joined Royal Mail 11 years ago. The family instructed workplace accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and secure access to the specialist medical care and rehabilitation Petar requires.
They say they are seeking damages so Petar can be transferred to a specialist hospital which can cater for his complex care needs. As part of legal submissions, Irwin Mitchell argues Royal Mail is responsible for a number of health and safety breaches.
These include that it failed to lay out the depot in a way which was safe for vehicles and it failed to take all suitable steps to minimise or eliminate the risk of pedestrians being struck by lorries. Royal Mail also failed to take action following previous incidents on Royal Mail premises where people have been struck by lorries, the lawyers claim.
‘Royal Mail should have done more’
Sarah Griggs, the expert workplace accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Mityo, said: “Petar suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the collision. Despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses, the hospital doesn’t have the facilities to fully provide the level of complex care Petar requires.
“We strongly believe that the injuries Petar suffered were avoidable and that Royal Mail should have done more to protect its employee. This has been backed up by the admission of liability. Petar faces an incredibly uncertain future.
“Given Royal Mail’s position on providing payments to help fund Petar’s incredibly complex care, we feel we’ve been left with no choice but to bring these proceedings so Petar can receive the care and access the rehab he urgently needs to stand a chance of making the best recovery possible.
“We call on Royal Mail to work with us to resolve this issue as soon as possible. It will also mean Petar’s loved ones don’t have to go through additional upset to what they’ve already endured.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are aware that proceedings have been issued. As this is now a matter before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Stay informed about the latest West London news. Sign up for our MyWestLondon newsletter HERE to receive daily updates and more.
