A MAN from North Yorkshire who lost a leg after being knocked off his motorbike by a US motorist while watching the Isle of Man TT has secured "significant" compensation after pursuing the case in America.

Andrew Ellis, 72, from Scarborough, was thrown several metres down the road, with the motorcycle landing on top of him.

From the offset, the driver’s insurer claimed Mr Ellis's case could only be tried under Manx law, despite the fact that the negligent road user was a US citizen.

Thompsons Solicitors thought the insurers were deliberately trying to limit the potential compensation and an opinion was obtained from a respected US law firm who confirmed the case could be pursued in the state of Massachusetts, where the driver was from.

That view was successfully argued at a formal mediation in the case and Mr Ellis was able to get a more substantial compensation award under US law than if it had been tried under Isle of Man law.