Thompsons Solicitors secures compensation for The Rowing Marine

A former Royal Marine who had to have his leg amputated after a car accident has obtained a significant sum of compensation with the help of Thompsons Solicitors.

In 2014, Devon-based Lee Spencer, 48, who was in service with the Royal Marines for 24 years, was injured after stopping on the hard shoulder of the M3 to assist a motorist who had been involved in a serious accident.

A subsequent collision with the stranded car caused a piece of debris to fly towards Spencer. It hit his right leg, which needed to be amputated.

Spencer also sustained a serious injury to his left leg, which required reconstructive surgery and for which future surgery will be required.

Spencer spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from his injuries and, following his discharge, many months undergoing rehabilitation.

He was subsequently medically discharged from the Royal Marines, and he instructed Thompsons Solicitors to investigate a claim for compensation.

Thompsons Solicitors has now secured a significant amount for his injuries, which will help Spencer move on to the next phase of his life.

“I’m so relieved to have had Thompsons Solicitors by my side throughout this process,” said Spencer.

“The interim payments have paid for equipment and adaptations to my home, which have been essential for my rehabilitation while the case has been ongoing. Now I can focus on training for my next fundraising challenge as ‘The Rowing Marine’!”

Since his accident, Spencer has gone on to take on numerous physical trials for charity, including being a member of the world’s first physically disabled crew of four to row across the Atlantic in 2016.

On 18 January, Spencer will attempt an unsupported solo row 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and, if successful, he will be the world’s first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported from continental Europe to continental America.

Serious injury expert Lisa Gunner of Thompsons Solicitors said: “Lee’s case shows how union membership is hugely important not only for workers but their families too. Following Lee’s life changing injury we were able to secure Lee the compensation he requires to provide him with the necessary aids, equipment, adaptations and prosthetics.

“We are immensely proud to represent Lee and of what he has gone on to achieve in showing that there is life beyond injury and we wish him luck for his next rowing challenge.”

Mark Dugdale