The family of a Mawnan Smith man living in a twilight world between life and death have launched a High Court legal battle for compensation which could run into millions.

Edwin Watson, 76, is said to be in a minimally conscious state after suffering severe head injuries when he was hit by a car in Mawan Smith, in October 2013.

Motorist Veronica Chegwidden, 90, who was not wearing her glasses at the time of the accident, was later convicted by magistrates at Truro of driving with uncorrected eyesight, according to the writ issued in London.

Papers just made public indicate that the claim is for more than £300,000. But with no upper limit specified and awards running into millions these days £300,000 is just the starting point for negotiations.

The papers say that Ms Chegwidden was on her way to church when she collided with Mr Watson who was using a leaf blower outside his home in Mawnan Smith and her licence was endorsed with three points. She was also given a conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £75 costs and surcharge.

The court heard that Ms Chegwidden could not read a licence plate at the required distance of 20 metres, but she had argued that Mr Watson had walked into a stationary car and fallen over.

The writ has been issued through Mr Watson’s daughter Kathryn Stivey against Ms Chegwidden, of Shute Hill, Mawnan Smith for damages for her father. It indicates that Ms Chegwidden’s insurers have admitted liability for the accident which happened on May 2014, but that the two sides are unable to agree how much compensation Mr Watson should receive.

Mr Watson suffered a head injury and other injuries but was discharged from hospital after two days. Two days later though, he was rushed back to hospital with a brain haemorrhage, and his condition deteriorated, leaving him in a minimally conscious state.

After months in a nursing home, he returned to his home at Long Meadow in Carwinion Road, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth. The writ says he is now fed through a tube, and is doubly incontinent, with profound cognitive impairment.

It says that he cannot move his arms at will, his legs are held in a fixed position, and there is no chance that he will recover. Sometimes he is able to communicate through speech, and sometimes he can express pain in a way that others can recognise, the court will hear. He is expected to live another 6.24 years.

His daughter accuses Ms Chegwidden of negligence when driving her Peugeot car, and says this caused her father’s injuries.

Ms Chegwidden, however, says that she was driving to church when the accident happened near Mr Watson’s home, as he used a leaf blower. She claims that it happened because he walked into the road.

Although she admits primary liability for the accident, she says Mr Watson contributed to the accident by his own negligence in failing to keep a lookout for traffic when using the leaf blower, and collided with her car.

She also does not accept the medical evidence put forward on his behalf, and wants him to be re-examined by a consultant neurologist.