A TEENAGER left paralysed from the waist down after a car crash is suing the driver he blames for the accident for more than �300,000. Ricky Western, of Wornham Avenue in Stevenage, is demanding unlimited damages from Bradley Clayson, of Milestone Close i

A TEENAGER left paralysed from the waist down after a car crash is suing the driver he blames for the accident for more than �300,000.

Ricky Western, of Wornham Avenue in Stevenage, is demanding unlimited damages from Bradley Clayson, of Milestone Close in Stevenage, over a road crash in Benington which has ruined his life.

According to a writ issued at London's High Court, 19-year-old Mr Western was a back seat passenger in Mr Clayson's Vauxhall Corsa on November 8, 2007, when the driver lost control and the car left the road, collided with a tree, and ended up in a ditch.

Mr Clayson's solicitors, Greenwoods, admitted liability for the accident in full on September 15, 2009, the writ says. But the two sides are thought unable to agree how much compensation Mr Western should receive.

Mr Western was trapped in the wreckage for 1hr 20mins. He suffered chest injuries which meant medics had to fit a chest drain at the accident site.

He was rushed to hospital and later transferred to the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury, where he underwent surgery.

Mr Western spent eight months in hospital.

He injured his spinal cord in his neck, is paralysed from the waist down, and has restricted movement in his arms and upper body.

He is doubly incontinent, and at risk of his condition deteriorating through osteoporosis and fragility fractures.

Mr Western is also at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, especially if he puts on weight as he ages or if he develops a cyst on his spine.

Mr Western brands Mr Clayson negligent, and says he drove without due care and attention, lost control of his car, failed to take any care in negotiating a bend, and drove too fast.

The writ also claims Mr Clayson negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, and placed other road users at a foreseeable risk of injury.

In January last year, Mr Western moved into a ground floor housing association flat, but will need to buy a property adapted for his needs in the longer term, the writ says.

The writ does not specify the level of compensation sought, but indicates that lawyers assess the value of the claim at over �300,000 if successful.