After a serious motorbike crash left Sam* with a through-knee amputation, he was determined to get back to the active life he loved. We supported Sam from the very beginning, working with the 4 Trauma 4 Patients service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
With our early support, he accessed vital rehabilitation, secured funding for a specialist prosthetic and made an incredible recovery – returning to work, driving, sport, and even snowboarding, within under 12 months of his injury. Just 10 months after his injury, Sam accepted a £3.75 million settlement, giving him long-term security and the freedom to move forward.
Challenges
After the early support from 4 Trauma 4 Patients, Sam was discharged home and was given an NHS prosthetic. Sam quickly experienced the prosthetic’s limitations and as someone who was exceeding all expectation so early on in his recovery, Sam required a prosthetic to keep up with his determination and energy.
- The standard prosthetic was limiting Sam in returning to all his activities and hobbies.
- Sam was eager to excel as far as possible but needed funding for specialist support and equipment.
- The defendants made an early offer to settle, which required a proactive and coordinated legal team to gather the right evidence quickly, so Sam could make a fully informed decision without rushing into a settlement that underestimated his future needs.
How we helped
From the very beginning, we focused on what mattered most to Sam, helping him to get his life back.
- We secured a £190,000 interim payment, which meant Sam could get a specialist prosthetic that was responsive, customisable and much more suited to Sam’s active lifestyle.
- Sam was back driving, working, and even playing golf and trying snowboarding – all within under 12 months of his injury.
- We worked quickly and thoroughly gathering expert evidence on everything from prosthetics to accommodation needs, so that Sam had a clear picture of his future.
Outcome
The preparation and proactive working on the case meant that when an early offer of £3.75 million came from the defendants, Sam felt confident in accepting it. This meant that Sam’s case was settled in just 10 months.
- Sam is now living on his own terms again – working, travelling, playing sports and trying new things.
- We’re continuing to support Sam with helping him to set up a Personal Injury Trust, so he can plan for the future with peace of mind.
- Sam has also been referred for specialist advice from a financial advisor about investment opportunities to make the most of his settlement.
*not his real name
