Mr. Thomas Hofer, 30, will leave for Germany as his Bermudian lawyers look into possible legal action.

Mr. Michael Scott said his firm, Hall and Associates, had taken up the case.

And a negligence claim could be laid at the door of the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

"We are still looking into whether there are any grounds for a complaint,'' Mr. Scott said.

Mr. Scott voiced concern about Mr. Hofer picking up the bill for flying to his family home near Munich.

"It strikes me as an extremely burdensome set of circumstances for him to face.'' His concern was heightened given the nature of Mr. Hofer's complaint, said Mr.

Scott.

Mr. Hofer has been moved to a general ward after entering the intensive care unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Friends say his injuries -- which left him partially paralysed -- occurred at St. Brendan's where he was treated for a mental disorder.

Hospital chiefs have launched an inquiry.

Executive director of the hospitals board Mr. Hume Martin has stated the injuries "were a result of actions taken'' by Mr. Hofer.

He pointed out it was routine to carry out an inquiry when "unexpected things happen''.

Mr. Hofer was a chef at the Once Upon A Table restaurant in Serpentine Road, Pembroke.

On February 10 he was arrested after entering The Bank of Butterfield on Front Street, claiming to be a killer.

Friends say he was then taken to St. Brendan's for psychiatric treatment.

Mr. Gerhard Lipp, a friend and former colleague, said he was anxious to know the cause of the injuries.

He added Mr. Hofer had no physical problems before being admitted to St.

Brendan's.

Mr. Lipp said his friend had improved while in King Edward, although he still had no feeling in his legs.

He needed two more operations which could only be performed in Germany.

"He is just waiting to get everything in place to fly out of here. He wants to leave, rather than just hang around here.'' Mr. Scott said he had seen Mr. Hofer, and had been told by doctors he was out of danger.

It was unknown whether paralysis was permanent, and it would take up to three years to find out.

Mr. Scott said Mr. Hofer's family had been in touch with doctors.

"I think Mr. Hofer is anxious to get back to see his family. He will be flying out shortly.'' Mr. Scott said the departure of his client would not make any legal action difficult.

"There will be problems at all.''