Previously ‘Fit And Active’ Mum-Of-Five Sustained Life-Changing Injuries

A previously ‘fit and active’ pensioner who had her leg amputated after being knocked down outside a supermarket has spoken out on the impact of her life-changing injuries and her ‘rehabilitation journey.’

Marion Mason, from Southampton, was struck by a van as she walked across the car park of the Shirley Road branch of Lidl in March 2020.  She was taken to hospital by ambulance.

As a result of the incident, Marion, 83, sustained a catalogue of serious injuries.  She underwent an above knee amputation of her right leg following three operations to try and save it.  She also had pins inserted into her upper left leg and hip.

Marion was due to have a further operation after the amputation, however this did not go ahead after she contracted Covid-19.

Following the incident, Marion’s family instructed serious injury experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate what happened and help Marion access the specialist care and therapies she needs to help her regain her independence.

They were able to ensure that Marion was discharged home from hospital to a private adapted property rather than a care home amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, her two storey terraced house where she lived with her husband for 64 years before the incident was no longer suitable and long term accommodation is now being investigated.

In the meantime, Marion has joined with her legal team in supporting Limb Loss Awareness Month by speaking out on her continuing recovery.

Expert Opinion

“The past year has been incredibly difficult for Marion and her family. The incident itself led to her having to undergo life-changing surgery, and after contracting Covid-19 whilst in hospital.

Through our work, we sadly come across many people seriously hurt in collisions with vehicles. Marion’s injuries continue to have a significant impact on her life and the lives of those around her.

While we can’t change what she has gone through, we can support Marion on her rehabilitation journey."
Ruth Johnson - Senior Associate Solicitor

Marion and her husband have five children 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Prior to the incident, Marion was generally fit and active.  She said: “I had always been very independent before the accident, but the past year has been difficult .

“Sadly, we had to move out of our family home, but my husband and I have been able to continue to live together and are now looking to to the future and our long term accommodation to meet my needs.

“It’s only been a year since it happened so it’s still early days in my rehabilitation journey, but I have already been looking into prosthetic limbs  and I have regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy privately.  

"I am pleased that my family looked at instructing solicitors when I was in hospital to investigate the accident as it has meant that I have been able to have support and guidance for my recovery privately even before I came home.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury cases