Aussie Pro Golfer's Career Adversely Affected By Ongoing Injury
Online, April 29, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Australian Professional Golfer Nicky Litherland, now residing in the United States of America, was expected to achieve a very large percentage of the goals that had been set prior to leaving Australia in January 2012. In unfortunate circumstances a motor vehicle crash in May 2012 whilst Nicky was in Fremantle Western Australia has seen this dream become a nightmare.
"It is with much regret that I take this opportunity to inform my family, friends, followers and sponsors of the fact the due to my injuries sustained from a motor vehicle accident (MVA) on the 11th May 2012 whilst visiting Perth Western Australia I am yet to recover from those injuries and hence my career as a Professional Golfer has been severely and adversely influenced" announced Litherland today.
Heralded to be one of the top up and coming golfers in the world there was much excitement and anticipation from a variety of reputable individuals within the game of golf who wished to see Nicky put his skills to the test against some of the world's top players.
"I have been scheduled to compete on various United States Professional Golf Tours, the highlight of which was to enter the Qualifying event for next month's HP Byron Nelson Championship in Texas. I have had to continually delay my return to professional golf due to my injuries and this has impacted on various sponsorship relationships and also the ability to earn a living for a period exceeding 350 days" Litherland stated.
The circumstances surrounding the "crash" on the 11th May 2012 factually report that Nicky was the passenger in a vehicle that was stationary at a cross-walk when an individual, the Insurance Commission of Western Australia's (ICWA) client, distracted and pre-occupied with an event that was being set-up in an adjacent outside mall in the city of Fremantle Western Australia caused a multi-vehicle accident.
The ICWA client's vehicle, travelling well in-excess of the 40 kilometer an hour speed limit, according to witnesses, ploughed into a motor vehicle behind the vehicle that Litherland was a passenger. The vehicle directly behind the Aussie Pro Golfer was then catapulted into the vehicle he occupied; inflicting the injuries that have now rendered Litherland unable to pursue his career.
The additional burdens and pressures placed on Litherland's family, wife and 3 young children, is increased exponentially. Nicky and his family have now incurred considerable debt following a recent visit to an Emergency Room for the excruciating pain associated with Litherland's MVA incurred injuries.
Since Litherland's return to the United States on the 8th August 2012 the ICWA, who is the State's only Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurer and their Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Division (MVPI Division) manages all personal and fatal injury claims resulting from motor vehicle crashes that involve Western Australian licensed vehicles, has failed to provide Litherland with the much needed assistance and support required in order for Litherland to return to his chosen profession due to glaring deficiencies within the ICWA's claim handling protocols.
"I will continue to follow an exercise regime that has provided me with some reprieve in regard to the pain I suffer throughout every minute of every day. I owe it to myself and my supporters that I get back to my golf career as soon as humanly possible", explained Litherland. "Furthermore, I pledge that despite my predicament I will continue to advocate for my charity of choice, The Mama Bear Effect, who provides much need support to victims of child abuse worldwide. Upon my return to the Professional golfing ranks I will also contribute $100.00 for every birdie I make out there to such a worthy and notable cause that is The Mama Bear Effect", Litherland added.
Litherland is now forcedly subjected to waiting until the 22nd May 2013 when the ICWA will make a decision as to whether they will provide him with any support while he resides outside of Australia.