Martin's Story
16 year old Martin was a pillion passenger on a motorbike returning home from a theatre trip to London when the motorbike was in collision with a Land Rover Discovery. His left leg was amputated above the knee during emergency surgery whilst surgeons also battled to save his right leg. They succeeded, but Martin was left with an amputation on the left side, a severely compromised right leg and significant problems with mobility. He had severe symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and required significant support and rehabilitation.
Payments were obtained from the insurers at an early stage and then on an ongoing basis which enabled Martin to have a range of rehabilitation treatment. In addition he was able to pay for psychiatric counselling from a trauma specialist. He was also able to purchase and adapt accommodation.
A team of medical and non-medical experts including an orthopaedic surgeon, prosthetist, psychiatrist, rehabilitation consultant, nursing care expert, architect and an employment expert were used in putting together the case for Martin. Despite his young age at the time of his accident Martin had been passionately committed to a career in theatre lighting. His physical and mobility difficulties were such that this now seemed impossible for him. He endured tremendous psychological and psychiatric difficulties during this time. However with enormous courage and determination and a great deal of knocking on stage doors, 4 years after his accident he managed to get work with one of the main London theatre groups as a lighting board operator. Not the lucrative career he had planned before the accident but he was at least back in the environment he loved.
Prior to approaching a specialist member of the Limb Loss Legal Panel, Martin's family had approached a non-specialist solicitor who did not have any experience of amputation claims. This exacerbated the family's already immense stress, coping with a seemingly unmanageable situation. Trying to maintain a business, living in an inaccessible rural area, in unsuitable accommodation for a young amputee who not surprisingly was having tremendous difficulties coming to terms with the injuries which he had sustained - through no fault of his own.
With part of his compensation award Martin was able to purchase a flat in Central London in the heart of theatre land and is continuing his work in theatre. From a rehabilitation point of view a very good outcome albeit he will undoubtedly face many challenges in the years ahead.
