Walsall road collision paramedic who lost leg in £4m claim
A motorcycle paramedic, whose leg was sliced off in a road collision in Walsall, has launched a High Court bid for £4.65m in compensation.
John Brown had worked for the ambulance service for 13 years before the collision in Pelsall in 2007.
Lawyers have told a judge the 50-year-old needs £4.65 million, which will include £700,000 for a specially adapted motorbike so he can continue his love of biking.
Mr Brown, of Tamworth, was riding his Armstrong Bike along Walsall Road when a van turned right across his path and cut his left leg at the thigh "like a guillotine" after it was trapped between two vehicles.
A passing off-duty police officer rushed to his aid and ultimately prevented him from dying from blood loss.
Mr Brown, who was working for West Midlands Ambulance Service, is suing the van driver's insurers who, although admitting liability for the accident, are disputing the amount of compensation due to him.
Speaking at court yesterday, Mr Brown wept as he told how much he had loved his job as a motorcycle paramedic.
"There are certain losses I find difficult to compensate for but I try to look on the bright side," said Mr Brown, who lives with wife Justine in Essex Street.
"It seems a very silly thing to get upset about but I loved that job. There is very little in my life these days that compares to the satisfaction I got from that job.
"That's the only thing that upsets me these days. I had something that I can't replace."
He also spoke of his determination to continue in his "passion" of biking.
"I would like to continue biking for as long as I can. My father still rides a motorbike and he's 75. I've never had less than three motorbikes since I was 16," he said.
After the crash, Mr Brown did a stint in an office job with the ambulance service but said he found it difficult not having patient contact.
He now works for the ambulance service as a voluntary driver ferrying patients around.
As well as the claim for the bikes, Mr Brown is asking for £700,000 for a new, specially adapted house, £300,000 for advanced prosthetic legs, more than £500,000 in lost earnings and pensions and more than £140,000 to allow him to go on biking holidays.
Patrick Vincent, for the insurers, disputes the figures and claims Mr Brown should get around £1.6m. The hearing continues.
