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A firefighter who had to have his lower title="Amputation Claims">leg amputated after he was knocked off his motorbike has received £800,000 in compensation.
The firefighter from Durham, who does not wish to be named, was riding his bike on a road near Trimdon village when a car pulled out and crashed into him in May 2002.
His main injury was a broken left ankle. He underwent five operations to fix it but all failed and in November 2006 the decision was made to amputate the left leg below the knee.
Injured firefighter had to give up work
He now has a prosthetic leg and has been forced to give up work as a firefighter.
The dad of two teenage boys is still receiving counselling for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He still suffers pain in his leg from using a prosthetic and is hoping that he will soon receive a new more comfortable leg.
The 44-year-old said: “I didn’t have a chance when that car pulled out of the junction. I was lucky to come away with just a broken ankle but unfortunately that was only the start. Now I have had to cope with losing my lower left leg.
“It has been difficult coming to terms with my injury. My prosthetic can be painful but I am hoping to receive a new one soon. The accident has totally changed my life. I can no longer work as a firefighter and have had to learn to cope without my leg. This compensation will make a huge difference.”
Thompsons Solicitors dealt with claim for accident compensation
Following the accident the former County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade firefighter contacted his union, the title="FBU">FBU, which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for accident compensation.
Thompsons secured an interim payment for the member before settling the claim out of court when the driver admitted liability.
Duncan Milligan from the FBU said: “This member not only lost his leg, but he also lost his career. It was a long battle to get him compensation but we don’t give up and are pleased to have helped him secure substantial damages in the end.”
Michael Bray from Thompsons Solicitors added: “The consequences of this accident have been life changing. An innocent motorcycle rider has had to endure the loss of his leg and having to give up the job he loved. He is still coming to terms with living with this for the rest of his life.”