Amputation injuries can be both traumatic and life changing. If you’ve suffered an amputation injury as a result of medical negligence, Slater and Gordon’s specialist legal experts can help get the compensation you deserve.
Amputations can range from relatively small areas, such as the tip of a finger or toe, to larger areas such as an arm or a leg.
Doctors will only make the decision to amputate a limb if doing so is necessary for the safety or health of their patient, and there are many reasons that this can occur. For anyone, the loss of a limb is often a devastating and traumatic event. No one should have to face the consequences of an amputation because of the negligence of a medical professional. Yet mistakes do happen, and when they do, it is vital that you are given the support and finances you need to be able to live your life to the fullest. If you’ve suffered an amputation injury as a result of medical negligence, making an amputation compensation claim can help you do this.
At Slater and Gordon, our medical negligence solicitors understand the distress that going through such an injury can cause, and the impact that this can have on you and your loved ones. Our award-winning experts have decades of experience helping clients get the compensation they deserve and are on hand to support you throughout the process and when you are ready to seek help.
Do I have an amputation claim?
There are a number of medical conditions that can lead to unavoidable amputations. However, when the amputation could have been avoided, if not for the negligent treatment of medical professionals, you may be entitled to make a claim.
For instance, failing to correct diagnose and treat diabetes can cause irreparable damage to limbs, or an unidentified infection can do more damage if left to spread. A reduced oxygen supply, whether caused by a medical condition or a lack of oxygen provided during a procedure, can also result in the loss of a limb.
Mistakes made by medical professionals that can lead to an amputation claim include:
Failure to properly manage diabetes and its various complications
Failure to diagnose and properly treat sepsis or infections such as cellulitis or osteomyelitis
Failure to diagnose and properly treat conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis
Failure to diagnose and properly treat vascular disease or similar conditions
In these situations, you may be entitled to make an amputation compensation claim. If you are ready to speak to a member of our team, call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online and we'll call you back.
It is also worth noting that there are other circumstances in which you may be entitled to compensation for an amputation injury. For example, you could have been in a road traffic accident or even had an accident at work. If so, you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation.
Reuben's story
"My son had double leg amputation and lost some fingers because doctors failed to diagnose toxic shock syndrome."
Found this useful?
Share this video:
Can I get help with costs before my amputation compensation claim reaches a conclusion?
There are a number of different reasons you may need financial support before your amputation claim is concluded. Suffering as a result of an amputation injury can have a negative financial impact; for example, you may have been unable to work (resulting in loss of income) or you may be required to pay for additional support, whether this is treatment, rehabilitation or adjustments to your home.
Interim payments can help with this. These are payments that are made prior to your amputation claim reaching a final settlement, to help relieve any financial burden you may be facing as a result of your injury in the meantime.
Interim payments are only available after the other side has admitted liability (that is, that they were at least in some part responsible for the incident that resulted in your injury). At the outset of your claim, our team will discuss with you the possibility of receiving interim payments, and can help support you to secure these as soon as possible.
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive.
Mr Q (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help.
Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim.
Ms S (medical negligence client)
Not only do we have many years' experience securing compensation for amputation claims, we also have the utmost sensitivity to handle your case with great care. From the straightforward to the complex, we work hard to ensure our clients not only achieve the best financial outcome, but can rest easy throughout the process knowing everything is well taken care of.
Our industry-leading team are consistently ranked highly in independent legal directories, such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500, and are proud to have helped numerous clients achieve the compensation they deserve. Our team members also include trained nurses and medical professionals who provide us with expert knowledge in-house, helping us to secure the best possible outcome and provide clients with access to high-quality treatment and rehabilitation.
Frequently asked questions about amputation claims
How much does it cost to make an amputation claim?
The majority of our amputation claims are funded by a conditional fee agreement, otherwise known as a No Win No Fee agreement. This means if you lose your case, you won't have to pay any fees and therefore, there’s no financial risk to you.
How much could I receive from an amputation compensation claim?
Every amputation claim is different, and the final amount of compensation awarded will be based on the severity of the injury and the affect the injury has had on your life.
Additionally, you'll also be able to claim for any lost earnings, any long-term care, rehabilitation and any necessary house adaptations to maximise the chance of recovery and independent living.
To establish your full legal position, call us on freephone 0330 041 5869.
How much time do I have to make an amputation claim?
If you believe you have a claim, it’s important that you seek advice from a lawyer who specialises in medical negligence cases as soon as possible, as there are time limits in place in England, Scotland and Wales.
Generally, a claim should be made within three years from the date the negligence occurred or the date you were first aware that you had suffered a significant injury or illness due to negligence. However, there are exceptions.
Can I make an amputation compensation claim on behalf of someone else?
There are certain circumstances in which it may be possible for you to make a claim for amputation compensation on behalf of a loved one. For example, if the individual suffering from an amputation injury is a child, or lacks the mental capacity to be able to pursue a claim themselves, you may be able to do so for them.
For more information on making a medical negligence claim on behalf of someone else, see our full guide here.
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive. Mr Q (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help. Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim. Ms S (medical negligence client)