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If you’ve been affected by an amputation due to medical negligence, you are likely to be feeling emotionally distressed, on top of the physical limitations you are now faced with.
Making an amputation claim could help you to secure compensation for an avoidable amputation – which can help to ease the financial burden associated with medical costs, including additional care, mobility aids and physiotherapy. Depending on the complexity of the case, amputation claims may lead to a substantial settlement, potentially exceeding £1 million. If you or someone you know has experienced an avoidable amputation, it is essential to have expert solicitors investigate your case. You may be entitled to significant amputation compensation. Contact us today to speak directly to our experienced lawyers.
An amputation compensation claim is the legal process for individuals who have suffered an a potentially avoidable amputation to seek financial compensation. Our expert team focusses upon amputation claims which are based upon medical negligence which lead to the loss of a limb. The claim aims to cover various costs, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation, loss of earnings, and the necessary adjustments needed for the person's home or lifestyle. Most medical negligence compensation claims focus on delays in diagnosis and treatment and what a patient’s outcome would have been had they received better earlier care.
Amputation due to medical negligence can occur for several reasons. Some of the common causes of claims our team have handled include surgical errors, misdiagnosis, complications caused by diabetes and delayed treatment.
For example, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, surgical errors may result in an amputation. These are more common if trauma is the predominant cause, resulting in a greater risk of blood vessel or nerve damage during an operation, leading to severe complications.
A misdiagnosis may also contribute to or be the main cause of an amputation. If conditions leading to a severe infection are incorrectly diagnosed, the appropriate treatment may be delayed, causing irreversible damage and resulting in the need for amputation.
Delayed treatment of the complications of conditions such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease can also lead to severe tissue damage that requires an amputation. A significant number of these claims result from the failure to diagnose and manage complications including peripheral neuropathy, diabetic foot ulcers and circulatory problems in the lower limbs. The NHS provides further information on amputations.
Read how we can help with Surgical Errors compensation
There is often a range of treatments available for avoidable amputations to help people adjust and regain as much function as possible according to the NHS. Amputation treatments initially start with wound care and pain management, followed by the fitting of a prosthetic limb if appropriate.
The NHS also says that physical therapy can be significant in helping individuals strengthen their muscles, improve their mobility, and aid the adaptation to using prosthetics. Additionally, psychological support can also help with coping with an amputation, as it can be extremely emotionally challenging. Therapy and counselling can assist in addressing feelings of loss and improving an individual’s mental well-being.
Prosthetic limbs and other adaptive devices can provide a sense of independence and some form of normality following an amputation. Modern prosthetics are designed to closely imitate the function and match the appearance of natural limbs, which offers greater mobility for the person and can be seen as a step towards returning to the life they had before losing the limb. Adaptive devices, such as specialised wheelchairs or home modifications, may also enhance the quality of life for amputees and provide them with a sense of independence. This is because they can enable you to perform daily activities without the need of someone else. Our expert team may be able to help you in sourcing the correct limbs for you, as well as any further adaptive devices.
From the start of your claim, our specialised amputation solicitors will speak with you and find out exactly what has happened. If we feel that an avoidable injury has been sustained because of an accident or poor medical care, we will fully investigate a medical negligence compensation claim, and if necessary, we will do this by instructing top independent medical experts to report on what has happened.
NHS or private hospital litigation can be complex, so it is important that you speak to and instruct specialist and experienced medical negligence solicitors, like ourselves.
When someone suffers an accident or medical treatment goes wrong and causes a limb injury and subsequent losses, it is crucial to speak with a professional, experienced and specialist medical negligence solicitor to help you.
The medical negligence team at Minton Morrill has this experience and its team of solicitors specialise solely in this complex area of law. Our team have more accredited panel members on the AvMA and Law Society clinical negligence scheme than any other law firm handling clinical negligence claims in Leeds and Manchester, as well as a national presence acting for clients across the country.
Our medical negligence team is top ranked in the Tier 1 category in the prestigious Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners annual reviews in recognition of their medical negligence work. The department is described has a “superb reputation for handling a wide range of clinical negligence claims.”
The department is led by Simon Minton and Trevor Ward - both recognised as the only two Leading Individuals for clinical negligence in the Yorkshire and Greater Manchester areas. The other department members: Julia Morrill, Sahida Patel and Guy Pomphrey all have a wealth of experience. Speak to our team today to work towards succeeding with your amputation claim.
If you or someone you know has suffered a limb injury or amputation and would like to discuss this and speak to our solicitors about a potential negligence claim for limb damage compensation, please contact Minton Morrill’s specialist team today on 0113 245 8549.
Alternatively, you can use our simple contact forms to Ask Us a Question or tell us How Can We Help?
To make an amputation compensation claim, follow these steps. First, gather all relevant evidence, including medical records, photographs, and any documentation of the incident. If necessary, seek expert testimonies from medical professionals to support your case. Then, consult a specialised lawyer experienced in amputation claims and the medical negligence claim process. They will help you fully investigate and file the claim, instruct the relevant experts, and ensure all paperwork is correctly completed and submitted. Your lawyer will also represent you in negotiations or court, aiming to secure the best possible compensation. Finding a specialised lawyer can be done by researching reputable law firms, reading reviews, and seeking recommendations from others who have gone through similar experiences.
Yes, there are time limitations for making an amputation compensation claim. In the UK, the time limit for medical negligence claims, including amputation claims, is generally three years from the date of the injury or the date you became aware that medical negligence caused your injury. This is known as the "date of knowledge." However, there are some exceptions. For example, if the injured person is a child, the three-year limit starts from their 18th birthday. Additionally, for individuals who lack the mental capacity to make a claim, the time limit may be extended. It's crucial to consult with a specialised lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe.
The amount of financial compensation someone will receive for an avoidable limb injury will be determined by the location and severity of the injury. If a limb injury claim can be substantiated, general damages for a claimant’s pain, suffering and loss of amenity will likely be pursued: the loss of an arm (amputated from the shoulder) will likely be over £100,000 and a below the knee amputation is likely to result in loss of limb compensation over £150,000 for general damages, for example.
In addition to this, our team of limb injury solicitors will consider other compensation called special damages to assess how a claimant’s life has been changed by an avoidable injury. This part of the damages claim will be affected by the age of the client, their underlying health, employment, and family situation. This is one of the key reasons we provide a bespoke service to every client, to make sure they receive the maximum limb damage compensation for their needs, now and in the future.
We pride ourselves on this standard of service for all our limb injury claims.
Orthopaedic negligence claims cover a wide range of medical areas, including limb injuries, but can also include, for example, spinal injuries, hand, shoulder and elbow injuries, surgical errors and hip or knee replacement problems.
We offer a range of different funding options to pursue a medical negligence compensation claim. Our team of limb injury lawyers will carefully assess the options available and advise you, clearly, what is the best option for you.
Some of Our Successful Orthopaedic Claims
