Biker awarded life-changing settlement after leg had to be amputated

Ewan Simpson, a 35-year-old Police Officer from Aberdeenshire, suffered a below the knee amputation as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Mr Simpson was travelling home from work late at night when a driver veered across the carriageway heading directly in front of his path.

“I think the other driver fell asleep at the wheel. It turns out they had been in Liverpool earlier that day and he came onto my side of the road. I tried to do everything I could to avoid him but he hit the right side and I went cartwheeling into the air.

“I tried to move but realised my right elbow and my lower leg were shattered.”

The driver drove off after the accident, leaving Mr Simpson lying helpless in a field. He was there for over an hour calling for help before two nurses drove by and came to his aid.

His right lower leg had to be amputated below the knee and he also needed surgery for his right arm. He was in hospital for seven weeks, returning home in a wheelchair.

“Struggled to do things using the prosthetics”

Mr Simpson paid to adapt his house to help him get about in a wheelchair and become more independent. His partner also switched to part time hours and took four months off to help.

After six months, he returned to work on light duties.

“The recovery was very long. I couldn’t use my right arm for about a year and I struggled to do things using the prosthetics I had.”

Expert legal help from Aberdeen office

The Police federation put Mr Simpson in touch with Digby Brown’s Aberdeen office.

The driver responsible for the accident had been driving without insurance and was convicted of dangerous driving. This meant his claim for damages was made against the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) to recover compensation.

“Digby Brown were great and kept me updated about what was happening and the next phase. They covered all bases such as seeing a psychologist and working out any future loss from lack of promotions in the future because of my injury. These were things I would never have thought of.”

They arranged for Mr Simpson to be examined by medical experts to determine the long-term impact of his injuries and any future issues.

With the amputation, he relies on prosthetics to do everyday tasks. However, there is a range of prosthetics available today which can help people return to activities they previously did such as running and swimming.

The office arranged for Mr Simpson to be seen by a Private Prosthetist and undertake a trial with top of the range prosthesis. “All I really wanted was to return to work on full duties. The NHS have standard prosthetic legs which are great but I really needed proactive and powered prosthetics which you can get privately. However, these cost anywhere from £10,000 to £70,000 and need to be replaced after three to six years.”

Compensation pays for private prosthetic treatment

Our Aberdeen office settled his case and secured ongoing annual payments to fund all future private prosthetic treatment. He was eventually able to return to full duties - over two and half years after the motorcycle accident.

“The settlement was far more than I ever dreamed off, it was life-changing. It has allowed everything to go back to normal, I’m now back on full duties at work with no restrictions which is wonderful.

“Without the money for private prosthetics, I don’t know if I could have returned to my life as it was before.

“I would tell others to just trust Digby Brown as you know what you are doing.”