A WOMAN has launched a high court battle for more than £300,000 compensation for an accident she says ruined her life.

Janet Chiswell, 57, was cut from the wreckage of her car when she was the innocent victim of a collision near Chester in 2002.

She suffered multiple strokes and is still awaiting an operation on her 'completely smashed' ankle.

'It ruined my life completely,' she said. 'I now depend on friends and family to help me with daily tasks.'

Three years on, her level of compensation has yet to be agreed.

The High Court in London was this week asked to settle the issue with a claim submitted for more than £300,000.

'I've started to drive again but with an adapted car and I have to have an automatic,' said Mrs Chiswell, of Wrexham.

Before the accident, she worked full-time for a solicitor's practice in Saltney but was unable to return to her job.

Nina Roland, senior partner of The Roland Partnership, of Saltney, which was representing Mrs Chiswell, said: 'Janet is a highly respected and much-loved colleague. We were all devastated when we discovered the seriousness of her injuries and didn't expect her to survive.

'Her bravery and courage has been an inspiration to us all.'

The writ, issued in London, claimed the other driver admitted liability for the accident.

Mrs Chiswell was driving along Rake Lane, near Eccleston, on August 9, 2002, when an oncoming car veered diagonally across the road and crashed into her car, it was alleged. The other driver was convicted of driving without due care and attention by Chester magistrates on February 24, 2003.

Mrs Chiswell was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital, where she stayed until September 6. While she was there, she contracted MRSA.

She was then transferred to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, from where she was discharged on December 13.

13. 'I almost died because of the accident - I was so ill it was decided that I should not be resuscitated if I took a turn for the worse,' she said.

Husband Alan, a part-time costs draughtsman, was able to spend time at home with his wife.

Mrs Chiswell was due to undergo a £7,000 operation on her ankle in December, but doctors warned if she contracted MRSA again, she might lose her foot.

She was awaiting the response of solicitors acting for the other driver.