A MAN who almost died after he opened the door of a moving taxi has launched a legal battle for more than £300,000 compensation.

James Stokoe suffered a serious brain injury when, as the driver braked, the passenger door slid shut, smashing into his head.

The 26-year-old from Darlington, who has been left handicapped and unable to work by his injuries, claims the taxi driver was negligent.

He was later rushed to hospital with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain and underwent two operations.

He spent 16 days in intensive care, followed by rehabilitation.

Mr Stokoe and his friend George Brawn had caught the taxi back to Darlington from the Chicago Rock Café in Middlesbrough after a night out on Friday, May 23, 2008.

But Mr Stokoe, who was drunk, opened the taxi door as the vehicle was moving. The door then slid shut when the taxi braked, hitting him on the head.

Mr Stokoe got out and, after being sick, continued the journey and was later dropped off on Park Lane, Darlington, near to his home.

Later, at around 4.30am he was found lying on the pavement unconscious and close to death.

It was initially suspected that he may have been assaulted but police quickly ruled any attack out.

Mr Stokoe, of Drinkfield Crescent, is now claiming damages from taxi driver Asif Afzal, of Saltwells Road, Middlesbrough.

A writ was issued yesterday on his behalf by Ben Townsend of Stewarts Law.

Mr Stokoe claims the taxi driver was negligent on the grounds that he failed to maintain the rearside passenger door properly, failed to appreciate the door was open and that Mr Stokoe was leaning out.

Furthermore, he also alleges that Mr Afzal braked in such a way as to make the taxi door slide shut.

Mr Stokoe's family last night declined to comment. The Northern Echo visited Mr Afzal's address but a woman, who said she was his mother, said he no longer lived there and did not know his whereabouts.