Dave was working as an emergency offshore medic on construction vessels when a road traffic collision, which was not his fault, led to a life-changing injury. 

Dave's case shows how early collaboration between all parties can secure intensive rehabilitation as quickly as possible following a catastrophic accident, supporting a client to reach their full potential after a life-changing injury. 

Life Before the Accident 

Before the accident, Dave led a busy and active life. Alongside his work as an offshore medic, he enjoyed spending time with his family and was a keen motorcyclist. 

The Accident 

In August 2025, during a week off from work, Dave was riding his motorbike when he was involved in a road traffic collision. He sustained a serious injury to his right foot and was taken to hospital by road ambulance. 

As he arrived at hospital and was taken into surgery, Dave knew there was a possibility he could lose one or both of his feet. He woke to find that his right leg had been amputated below the knee. While in hospital, he was advised that he could expect to be "off his feet" for around 12 to 18 months. 

Returning Home 

After ten days in hospital, Dave was discharged home. With a downstairs bathroom but no way of safely managing the stairs, he spent the next 13 weeks living downstairs and sleeping on a sofa bed. 

Early, Collaborative Support 

Following his amputation, Dave instructed Irwin Mitchell to represent him. His legal team visited him at home shortly after he was discharged from hospital, at which point he had not yet received a prosthesis. Following an Immediate Needs Assessment, they identified that Dave would be an ideal candidate for early rehabilitation, and worked with the defendant solicitors, DAC Beachcroft, and the insurers to secure prompt access to prosthetic rehabilitation and intensive therapy. 

Dave's solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, Peri Baldwin, had previously seen positive outcomes for clients undergoing rehabilitation at STEPS and felt the intensive approach would suit him well. As Peri explains, Dave "loved the idea of being able to go [to STEPS] and put his all into it." 

Residential Amputee Rehabilitation 

When the STEPS team first met Dave, his residual limb had healed well, allowing him to undergo an early prosthetic assessment with STEPS Prosthetics. With funding secured quickly, he was admitted to STEPS Rehabilitation just a week later, in early November 2025, around three months after his accident. 

Peter Durkin, Co-Founder and Prosthetist at STEPS Prosthetics, explains: 

"Having an early, collaborative approach is beneficial to everyone. In Dave's case, there was access to funds very quickly for him to have intensive, high-standard rehabilitation, which improves functional outcomes for him, his ability to get up on a leg, and to move forward with his life." 

Shortly after his admission, Peter fitted Dave with his first prosthetic leg using a temporary socket, meaning he could start rebuilding his mobility very soon after his amputation. 

Dave's programme began with an initial six-week residential stay. Each weekday involved five to six hours of rehabilitation, focusing on using his prosthesis, building his endurance and increasing his mobility. Alongside his physical rehabilitation, he received psychological support to help him process the impact of the accident and his amputation. Dave described the programme as "absolutely fantastic". 

He then spent four weeks at home, giving him the chance to experience daily life with his prosthesis and identify any challenges in his own environment. Dave returned to STEPS for a further four weeks of residential rehabilitation, focusing on increasing his stamina, refining his walking and occupational therapy to support his independence at home. He threw himself into every session and made strong progress, before continuing his rehabilitation as an outpatient. 

Prosthesis Trials 

As an outpatient, Dave worked with the STEPS Prosthetics team to trial several microprocessor-controlled feet, which use sensors and computer-controlled technology to adapt to changes in movement and walking conditions. 

Of the options he tried, Dave found the Ottobock Empower foot the most beneficial. It made a significant difference to his mobility and helped him to continue building on the progress he had made during his residential stays. 

The Power of Collaboration 

Close cooperation between Irwin Mitchell, DAC Beachcroft and the insurers was central to Dave's recovery. By working together from an early stage, decisions around funding and rehabilitation could be made promptly, allowing Dave to access the support he needed without unnecessary delay. Although each party had a different role and different priorities within the claim, all recognised the value of early rehabilitation and kept Dave's recovery at the forefront. 

Peter Durkin said: 

"With collaboration, we can put the claimant at the heart of the claim and get them back into the best life they can have. Dave's case is an excellent example of what can be achieved with early intensive rehab in a really short time frame, which will enable him to get back on with his life and leave the accident behind him as best as he can." 

Peri Baldwin added: 

"It's everyone working together and having a client that wants to engage in the rehab. We're so glad we were able to get him the input that he needed and wanted to make the best possible recovery." 

Looking Ahead 

Having been told in hospital that he could expect to not be walking for 12 to 18 months, Dave was fitted with his first prosthesis shortly after arriving at STEPS, around three months after his accident. He is now working towards returning to the active life he enjoyed before his accident. 

Reflecting on his rehabilitation, Dave said: 

"I have progressed very quickly with the professionalism of the staff and the support of everybody involved in the case, so I am very grateful for everyone that's been involved in my recovery stage, and very thankful."