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EDMONTON -- A young hockey player who was left a quadriplegic following a car wreck has launched an $11-million lawsuit against the Alberta Motor Association's insurance division, believed to be the largest injury claim in Alberta history.

Darin Wood, now 19, is also suing his friend, Jeffrey Starling, for negligence in driving a two-door 2000 Ford Mustang that flipped several times, throwing Wood into the air. The car's insurance was held by Starling's father, Kenneth.

In the lawsuits filed April 29, Wood claims he is entitled to compensation from the AMA, Wood's insurance company and the allegedly negligent driver for all damages arising from the violent collision.

Wood underwent months of rehabilitation but has no hope of a full recovery. He remains incontinent, suffers from continued pain and requires 24-hour lifelong care.

Wood's lawyer, Ron Cummings, said he is suing for the large amount because Wood was injured at a young age, causing him to lose a lifetime of future income while requiring decades of constant care. His career path was most likely as a mechanic, he said, but he'll now spend the rest of his life needing someone to reposition his body every two hours to prevent bedsores.

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