15.12.2014
Former cameraman, Noel Greaves-Lord, from Worthing, West Sussex was visiting friends in Cannes, to help them produce a short film in October 2010 when he and a friend who were filming on the pavement were knocked down by an out of control motorbike after its rider had fallen off as he negotiated a corner.
The 52-year-old endured multiple operations to try and fix a severe fracture to his right ankle, but after contracting MRSA that could not be treated, doctors advised the safest option was to have a trans-tibial amputation (leg below the knee) to remove the infected bone.
During his career Noel covered a wide range of major national and international sporting events for the BBC, ITV and other international broadcasters and his injuries have now forced him to give up his beloved career.
Noel was faced with being unable to work, needing prosthetics, on-going care and rehabilitation so he instructed international travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell in a battle for justice. Now the law firm has secured him a substantial undisclosed settlement from the rider’s insurers for his pain and suffering and his financial losses and expenses including his loss of earnings. The settlement will also help towards the cost of new prosthetics and his rehabilitation needs.
After receiving treatment at the hospital to reposition and stabilise his ankle, Noel was told he had contracted MRSA as well as suffering from a further two serious infections in his ankle.
Noel struggled for 13 months with a broken leg and ankle before he had the trans tibial amputation. Following the amputation, Noel was fitted with a prosthetic foot from Dorset Orthopaedics and had support from physiotherapists and occupational therapists to help deal with his catastrophic injuries which was funded with interim payments secured by Irwin Mitchell.
Father-of-three Noel, said: “I am pleased and relieved that my legal battle has come to a conclusion and I can now focus completely on rebuilding my life and continue with my recovery and rehabilitation.
“The last four years have been devastating and the injuries I sustained in France have had a huge impact on my life. I had always been a very active and independent man but I have struggled to come to terms with the impact the injury and subsequent amputation has had on my life.
“I was sitting on a pavement filming and there was nothing I could have done to prevent the accident from happening. I would like thank my legal team at Irwin Mitchell for their tireless efforts in the fight for justice and my family and friends for their support during the intervening years.”
Settlement Agreed For TV Cameraman Who Had His Leg Amputated After Accident in France
Expert lawyers representing a father-of-three who needed his lower leg amputating after breaking it and suffering infection when a motorbike mounted a pavement and ploughed into him in France have secured him a vital financial settlement.Former cameraman, Noel Greaves-Lord, from Worthing, West Sussex was visiting friends in Cannes, to help them produce a short film in October 2010 when he and a friend who were filming on the pavement were knocked down by an out of control motorbike after its rider had fallen off as he negotiated a corner.
The 52-year-old endured multiple operations to try and fix a severe fracture to his right ankle, but after contracting MRSA that could not be treated, doctors advised the safest option was to have a trans-tibial amputation (leg below the knee) to remove the infected bone.
During his career Noel covered a wide range of major national and international sporting events for the BBC, ITV and other international broadcasters and his injuries have now forced him to give up his beloved career.
Noel was faced with being unable to work, needing prosthetics, on-going care and rehabilitation so he instructed international travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell in a battle for justice. Now the law firm has secured him a substantial undisclosed settlement from the rider’s insurers for his pain and suffering and his financial losses and expenses including his loss of earnings. The settlement will also help towards the cost of new prosthetics and his rehabilitation needs.
Noel was rushed to hospital in Cannes by ambulance and had surgery, where his fibula was plated and a wire inserted into his ankle to stabilise it. He remained in hospital for six days before being transferred back to the UK to Worthing Hospital where he spent a further 22 days.Expert Opinion
We are delighted that we have been able to secure a settlement which reflects Noel’s complex needs as understandably he and his family have been concerned about what the future might hold.
“Noel suffered a serious fracture to his ankle as a result of the motorbike knocking him over, but unfortunately, despite undergoing multiple operations including having screws inserted to try and mend the fracture, serious infection set in which left doctors with little choice but to advise that he have his lower leg amputated.
“This was very difficult surgery to undergo both physically and mentally and Noel needs on-going support to help him recover and come to terms with his injuries
“Noel was previously very active and worked as a television cameraman at major sporting events, but he has not been able to continue in employment since the crash. This has been very frustrating for him and has meant he has been without regular income.
“We are all very pleased that Noel is now able to access all the further treatment and rehabilitation he needs to support his on-going recovery. Noel has been incredibly courageous throughout this most challenging time and his determination and spirit are inspirational.”
Demetrius Danas - Partner
After receiving treatment at the hospital to reposition and stabilise his ankle, Noel was told he had contracted MRSA as well as suffering from a further two serious infections in his ankle.
Noel struggled for 13 months with a broken leg and ankle before he had the trans tibial amputation. Following the amputation, Noel was fitted with a prosthetic foot from Dorset Orthopaedics and had support from physiotherapists and occupational therapists to help deal with his catastrophic injuries which was funded with interim payments secured by Irwin Mitchell.
Father-of-three Noel, said: “I am pleased and relieved that my legal battle has come to a conclusion and I can now focus completely on rebuilding my life and continue with my recovery and rehabilitation.
“The last four years have been devastating and the injuries I sustained in France have had a huge impact on my life. I had always been a very active and independent man but I have struggled to come to terms with the impact the injury and subsequent amputation has had on my life.
“I was sitting on a pavement filming and there was nothing I could have done to prevent the accident from happening. I would like thank my legal team at Irwin Mitchell for their tireless efforts in the fight for justice and my family and friends for their support during the intervening years.”
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