'He cannot walk': Lawyer reveals extent of Schumacher's injuries

Michael Schumacher’s lawyer has revealed the extent of the former Formula One driver's injuries, confirming that the German cannot walk, contrary to reports that emerged in a magazine last year.

Schumacher's family filed a lawsuit against German publication Bunte, which quoted a friend of Schumacher's, saying that: “Michael is very thin, but he can once again walk a little with the help of his therapists.

“He manages to make a couple of steps. And he can also raise an arm,” the story continued.

Schumacher, who was involved in a skiing accident in 2013, suffered serious brain injuries and spent months in a coma.

During the hearing, Schumacher’s lawyer Felix Damm refuted the claims, telling the court "He can not walk.”

The family began legal proceedings against the magazine, citing a breach of Germany’s privacy laws.

“We cannot be forced by lurid reporting to disclose Schumacher’s condition,” Damm said. “He had a protection of privacy.”

Schumacher’s agent Sabine Kehm also issued a statement in December denying the story.

“Unfortunately we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true,” she said at the time of publication.

“Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important for Michael.

"Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people.”

Financial damages are likely to be awarded to the family, with a verdict not expected till October.