A multi-million-pound settlement after RTA led to amputation

Our client is now able to move forward with financial security and renewed independence, with access to private surgery, advanced prosthetics, lifelong rehabilitation, psychological support, and adapted living following a life-changing motorcycle accident. After being knocked from his bike when another vehicle turned across his path, he sustained severe injuries that ultimately led to a lower-limb amputation. We secured a multi-million-pound settlement that has given him the resources and long-term support he needs to rebuild his life and plan confidently for the future.

Motorcycle accident, resulting in limb amputation

Our client, who was in his mid-30s at the time, was knocked from his motorbike when another vehicle turned across his path, leaving him no time or space to avoid a collision.

Despite wearing full protective gear and attempting to swerve, he was unable to prevent impact. The crash left him with multiple traumatic injuries, including severe damage to his right leg, burns caused by leaking battery acid, and extensive soft tissue trauma. He was taken to hospital where he required immediate and ongoing treatment. Despite months of medical care and rehabilitation, repeated infections and ulceration meant that he ultimately required a below-knee amputation.

Before the accident, our client led a very independent lifestyle. He had a long-standing passion for high-performance vehicles, both cars and motorcycles, and had been riding motorbikes since a young age. At the time of the incident, he was in the early stages of establishing his own business, plans for which were brought to an abrupt halt by the accident.

Extent of our client’s motorbike accident injuries

Our client ultimately sustained life-changing injuries because of the complex journey that ensued. Though initially his injuries seemed relatively modest he went on to develop unusual symptoms which the doctors were despite investigations at a loss to explain,  including swelling and loss of sensation in his legs and these rapidly deteriorated.   He was eventually diagnosed as suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) affecting his right lower limb. This is a chronic pain condition that can develop after severe injury and caused him to suffer extreme pain, there were also observable changes affecting his limb.  The skin on his leg became discoloured, he had poor circulation, suffered temperature changes, repeated ulcers and infections as well as abnormal hair and nail growth.

These changes progressed such that our client no longer had a functioning right lower leg. He underwent multiple pain management treatments from medication to injections and even virtual reality distraction therapy. None of which failed to improve his position.  Under medical guidance and after weighting up his options he chose to proceed with a below the knee amputation.

Post recovery his ability to tolerate a prosthetic leg was further affected by his ongoing CRPS as well as some structural issues with his knee.  In the face of a poor prognosis our client set his mind on undergoing a higher level above knee amputation with a procedure known as osseointegration. This is a surgery for amputees who have not tolerated or do not want to use a traditional prosthetic socket. An artificial implant is permanently, surgically anchored and integrated into bone, which then grows into the implant and a limb prosthesis is connected directly to this.

The accident coupled with his prolonged and complicated recovery took an inevitable and profound toll on our client’s mental health, robbing him of formative years in his 30s that he can never replace.

Injuries sustained:

• Severe trauma to the right leg, including ligament and bone damage
• Burns to the right lower limb
• Pain and sensation issues in the left leg and shoulder
• Below-knee amputation due to infection and ulceration
• Development of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Significant psychological impact

Case Progress and Outcome

Our client was initially represented by another firm through his motorcycle insurer. Feeling unsupported and unsatisfied with the progress, he chose to transfer his case to our serious injury experts at Fletchers Solicitors nearly three years after the accident, a decision that made a crucial difference to the outcome.

When our Serious Injury team, led by Partner and Solicitor Charlotte Mackulin, took over, it became clear that key expert evidence was missing. The team immediately worked to fill these gaps, engaging the right specialists, including a case a manager, prosthetist and amputee rehabilitation consultant and actively engaging with the defendant in a productive and progressive way. This led to a long awaited admission of liability (for the accident) from the defendant and a way forward meeting took place that fuelled negotiations and ultimately led to us securing a multi-million-pound settlement for our client.

This settlement has provided our client with the ability to move forwards with hope, financial security and the resources to fund the private surgery, advanced prosthetics, ongoing psychological support and lifelong therapy package, and the necessary adaptations to his home and vehicle.

How Fletchers Solicitors helped

Our client made the choice to move his case to Fletchers after feeling unsupported by previous solicitors.

• Provided clear guidance and support throughout.
• We identified missing expert evidence and engaged the right specialists.
• Secured funding for private surgery, advanced prosthetics, psychological support, and home/vehicle adaptations.
• Negotiated a multi-million-pound settlement.

Legal comments:

“We were delighted with this settlement which has enabled our client to move forwards with his life in a positive direction,” said Charlotte Mackulin, Solicitor at Fletchers. He’s now able to plan his future, from a new home and vehicle to life, changing surgery, and we’re incredibly proud to have helped him reach this point.”

Our client’s words:

“I do genuinely appreciate everything that Fletchers have done for me and feel a huge amount of relief that there is now a clear path forward from here. I can finally start to move on with my life….I don’t think there’s a way of expressing my gratitude in full, the experience with Fletchers has been a marked improvement from what I’d known of the legal system before, and I’m incredibly thankful.”

Our client’s future

Thanks to the expertise and dedication of serious injury solicitors, our client now has the means to access specialist medical care and build a future that once felt out of reach. He is in the process of purchasing and adapting new home and vehicle and will begin psychological support to prepare for further surgery.

His case highlights the importance of choosing the right solicitor for complex serious injury claims, especially when life-changing injuries like amputations are involved.

Private surgery funding

Amputation brings significant changes to a person’s lifestyle, mobility, and self-perception. Our client’s chronic health conditions including CRPS made traditional prosthetics difficult to use.  However in his steadfast determination to regain his independence, he is committed to and now has the funds to pursue the private surgery involving above-knee amputation and osseointegration.

In his case the surgery is particularly innovative, as there is limited medical literature on osseointegration in patients with CRPS. By undergoing this procedure, our client will contribute to improving medical professionals understanding of this complex condition.

Making a claim if you’ve suffered an amputation or motorcycle accident

Choosing the right solicitors can make a real difference in complex claims like amputations or serious motorcycle accidents. At Fletchers Solicitors, our specialist serious injury and amputation claim teams guide you from the start, helping you access the best in rehabilitation, specialist care, and gain you financial security for your future.

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation.