Inverness junior doctor paralysed after bike 'sheared in two' sues for £10m

A doctor who was left paralysed from the waist down after his new bike broke in half is seeking £10m in compensation.

Dr Daniel Gordon, who works as a junior at Inverness’ Raigmore Hospital, was travelling at 15mph on a grassy slope when the carbon front forks on his Planet X Tempest SRAM Force 1 titanium bike failed and he crashed in August 2020.

He suffered life-changing spinal cord injuries and has been left with no function in his legs.

He will be dependent on a wheelchair for the rest of his life

Dr Daniel Gordon Dr Daniel Gordon/Stewarts

Because Planet X became insolvent in 2023 Dr Gordon is having to pursue his claims against their two insurers, Arch Insurance (UK) Limited and Chubb European Group SE.

Lawyers firm Stewarts has raised a compensation claim against both.

Dr Gordon’s solicitors said the £2,300 gravel bike was described by the manufacturer as a “flowingly fast and comfortably confident titanium gravel bike that gives you the freedom to ride wherever you want”.

That was further illustrated by photos on the website showing the bike being ridden in rocky mountainous terrain.

Julian Chamberlayne, partner and head of aviation and international injury, and James Griffin, associate in the international injury team at Stewarts are representing Dr Gordon.

Mr Chamberlayne said: “It is a great testament to Dr Gordon’s character that he is doing his very best to adapt to life with a spinal cord injury, including returning to work as an NHS doctor.

“The compensation claimed for will cover the financial losses and expenses that Dr Gordon is likely to incur in the future as a result of the life-changing injury he sustained.

“Consumers, like Dr Gordon, who are injured by defective products are meant to be able to rely on the Consumer Protection Act to easily recover compensation, without having to prove exactly what caused the product to fail.

“Unfortunately, the defence to this claim shows how in practice the retailer or their insurers often try to deny liability in a multitude of ways.”