Leg amputation following a road accident

The client was a motorcyclist on his way to work when a car suddenly pulled into his path, causing him to be thrown around 30 feet. Liability remained in dispute throughout the case, despite the defendant being prosecuted by the police and pleading guilty to Driving Without Due Care and Attention.

After the accident, the client was taken by ambulance to St George’s Hospital and placed in an induced coma for almost two weeks. He underwent surgery and, although doctors did their best to save his leg, they were ultimately unsuccessful and a below-knee amputation was required.

Matthew Tuff and the team secured extensive rehabilitation for the client. A specialist amputation rehabilitation manager was appointed to coordinate his recovery.

Although the client had been provided with a prosthetic limb through the NHS, he found it uncomfortable and it caused skin breakdown. Rehabilitation funding provided access to multiple private prostheses, including an advanced microprocessor foot.

The rehabilitation package also included musculoskeletal physiotherapy, prosthetic physiotherapy, occupational therapy, gym membership, a personal trainer and counselling. Adaptations were made to the client’s home, including an adapted bathroom. The defendant’s insurer also funded a rehabilitation assistant to support the intensive rehabilitation programme needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

One symptom often experienced after a leg amputation is phantom limb pain, where a person feels pain in a limb that is no longer there. The client experienced this following the accident. Rehabilitation support sought to address these symptoms and the pain gradually improved over time.

Matthew Tuff and the team secured extensive rehabilitation for the client. A specialist amputation rehabilitation manager was appointed to coordinate his recovery.

Although the client had been provided with a prosthetic limb through the NHS, he found it uncomfortable and it caused skin breakdown. Rehabilitation funding provided access to multiple private prostheses, including an advanced microprocessor foot.

The rehabilitation package also included musculoskeletal physiotherapy, prosthetic physiotherapy, occupational therapy, gym membership, a personal trainer and counselling. Adaptations were made to the client’s home, including an adapted bathroom. The defendant’s insurer also funded a rehabilitation assistant to support the intensive rehabilitation programme needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

One symptom often experienced after a leg amputation is phantom limb pain, where a person feels pain in a limb that is no longer there. The client experienced this following the accident. Rehabilitation support sought to address these symptoms and the pain gradually improved over time.

The legal team assembled a group of leading medical experts to provide detailed evidence. These experts included a rehabilitation consultant, orthopaedic consultant, prosthetics expert, physiotherapy expert, psychiatrist, accommodation expert and care expert.

An accident reconstruction expert also provided evidence to assist with the disputed liability issues.

At the conclusion of the claim, a significant seven-figure settlement was secured for the client. The settlement reflected the serious nature of his injuries and his ongoing needs, including adapted single-storey accommodation, replacement prosthetic limbs, therapies and care support.

Some prosthetic limbs can cost as much as £100,000 and require replacement throughout a person’s lifetime. The settlement provides the financial support needed to help meet these costs and support the client’s future quality of life.

The settlement was reached at a without prejudice meeting with the defendant’s legal representatives, avoiding the need for the client to go through the stress of a court trial.

Despite everything he had been through, the client remained optimistic and committed to his rehabilitation throughout the claim. His strength, resilience and determination made a lasting impression on everyone involved in the case.