John’s Story: Start a new chapter of life with family after amputation

At the time of the collision, John was a 26-year-old man, working full time as a waste disposal operative. He and his partner were growing their young family and looking forward to the future. John’s partner was pregnant with their second child at the time of the accident.   John enjoyed riding and working on his motorbike in his free time, as well as fishing, playing football and playing pool.

On the day of the collision, John was riding his motorcycle along a residential road, having picked up some shopping for his partner’s mother. The Defendant driver approached from the opposite direction and attempted to turn right, turning into John’s path and causing the collision and significant crush injuries to his right lower leg. John was wearing reflective gear at the time and had his automatic running lights illuminated.

John suffered serious and life-changing injuries to his lower right leg, initially resulting in a right transtibial amputation and femoral nail repair. Due to non-viable tissues this was later revised to through knee amputation.

John spent 12 days in hospital following the accident, before being discharged home to the care of his partner.

John’s accommodation was wholly unsuitable for him in light of his injuries and restrictions. There were safety and accessibility issues with his accommodation, as well as it was being significantly too small for his growing family and his mobility needs.

John was unable to work as a result of his injuries, and with his young family to support, this was a major concern for both John and his partner.

As well as undertaking all of the household tasks, including cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare duties, significant personal care was provided to John by his partner as well. John and his partner had to rely on assistance from family and friends to support them. John’s partner did not drive, so they were reliant upon lifts from family or friends to outpatient appointments, or costly taxi fares.

John also suffered with significant levels of pain, spasms, anxiety and low mood following the collision.

Minster Law was involved in the case from the outset and agreed a rehabilitation package with the third-party insurer and solicitor, with a case manager overseeing and supporting John’s rehabilitation journey. Minster Law obtained an early interim payment, which meant that John and his partner could afford to send their eldest child to a local nursery, to ease some of the extra burden placed on his partner.

As a family they were also able to move to another home which was more suitable in light of John’s restrictions, but also gave the family some much needed space.

In addition to this, John was able to access private rehabilitation, funded via the third-party insurer. This allowed John to access specialist physiotherapy and prosthetics input. A taxi account was also set up, allowing John to access various appointments and check-ups with ease.

John worked with Dorset Orthopaedic and trialled a number of prosthetic limbs to find the right one for him, before obtaining the Ottobock Genium X4, funded by a large interim payment secured from the third-party insurer.

The case settled for a significant seven figure sum in early 2025. The fantastic settlement reached by Minster Law has provided financial security for John and his family, ensuring his lifelong access to specialist prosthetic equipment, as well as a home suitable for him and his family for the rest of their lives, providing them with ample space and equipment for John to continue his rehabilitation and maintenance journey after the conclusion of the claim.

 John’s Comments

“We would love to thank you and everyone at Minster Law for all your help with everything over the past year, definitely has been some big roller coasters but what we have achieved is because of the great team you have and great yourself.”

Comments from Edel Selby- Partner – Minster Law

“It has been an absolute privilege to have worked with John and his family, to see the incredible recovery and improvements he has made, with the help of private rehabilitation and prosthetic equipment.

To see John’s journey from where he was at the beginning of the claim through to the end was truly moving. I first met John and his partner when John was not long out of hospital and in a wheelchair.

From the outset, I was so impressed by John’s positivity; he was determined even at that early stage to get back on his feet in order to be Dad he had been prior to the accident.  At our last meeting, he was on his X4 , giving me a hug and walking away with his partner, having discussed their housing plans and ideas for the future, made possible by the compensation recovered via the claim. That was an incredibly proud and fulfilling moment for me. Outcomes like this are the very reason why I do what I do, and I am so pleased to have been able to secure such a strong settlement for this wonderful client.”