Home > Personal Injury > Serious injuries > Amputations

Amputations

Amputations as a result of accident or injury

An amputation is the loss or removal of a limb or part of a limb. The amputation of a limb, such as a leg or an arm, is often necessary following an injury which has either partially removed the limb (known as a traumatic amputation), or has damaged the limb to the extent that it is impossible to save it.

Amputation may also be necessary if the limb is a danger to the life of the patient, such as may be the case with gangrene. Occasionally it is an “optional” procedure.

It is irreversible and for the individual it will have a devastating effect on their life.

Regional variations in amputation rates for diabetics

A recent study published in the journal Diabetologia, reveals that amputation rates for diabetics across England vary widely. They are up to 10 times higher in some parts of the country than others. The study fits with previous research that had suggested that up to 80% of diabetes-related amputations could be avoided.
More about Regional variations in amputation rates for diabetics

More news surrounding amputation

Please select one of the links below to read more about amputation and how Clear Answers may be able to help you receive compensation for your injury.

Amputation statistics
Using a solicitor experienced in compensation claims for amputees
Calculating your financial needs for the long-term
Personal injury news stories
Making a claim for compensation following an amputation

Amputation statistics

The NHS National Amputation Statistical Database (Annual Report) records that each year in the UK there are approximately 6,000 new patient referrals to the NHS prosthetic limb services. Of these, approximately half the amputations are carried out on people aged 65 or over. There are also twice as many male amputees as women.

Whilst the most common amputations involve a leg or an arm, hands and fingers, may need to be amputated, as may feet and toes.

Using a solicitor experienced in compensation claims for amputees

Compensation claims for serious injuries such as amputations are a very specialist area of the law concerning personal injury compensation. It is critical that your solicitor has specific experience in this field. Our teams of specialist serious injury solicitors have the in-depth knowledge and experience to ensure that you get the detailed legal advice that you will need to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injury.

Limitation period for bringing a claim for amputation compensation

There are strict time limits to bringing any claim for personal injury compensation and legal action through the Courts must be commenced within three years of the date of your accident or injury. There may be some exceptions to this, particularly if the victim is a minor, so please visit our section on limitation periods, or contact us to speak to a specialist serious injury solicitor. Ring us on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our on-line compensation forms and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.

Legal requirements for bringing a claim for amputation compensation

A solicitor who has experience of handling amputation compensation claims will understand the detailed information that is required to succeed in bringing a successful claim. This will include details of the accident or reason for the amputation, but will also include the legal requirements such as:

witness statements
proof that your injury was due to negligence by someone other than yourself
documentary evidence of how it has affected your lifestyle

We have access to expert medical professionals who will assess your situation and the rehabilitative support and after care that you may need. Whatever level of your injury, it is important that you receive the best treatment, rehabilitation and care possible as quickly as possible.

Interim payments during a claim for amputation compensation

We also have the experience to apply for interim payments to cover your care and support whilst the claim for compensation progresses. With complex serious injury compensation claims such as amputation, it can often be some time before the long-term prognosis is known and a final settlement should not be made until your full needs can be assessed and the costs accurately calculated. However, an interim payment will allow you and your family to begin your care and recuperation as soon as possible, often involving expensive equipment or adaptation of your home.
Interim payments can also provide funds for custom made prosthetic limbs or bespoke prostheses.

Support and rehabilitation package for amputees

Funding may also be available through your personal injury claim for long term support and as well as clinical support, a rehabilitation package will often include

Case Managers who plan and coordinate any rehabilitation care and support that you may need
Support Workers who give you the support that you need in your home and in the community, and
Job Coaches who will help you look at ways of either returning back to your current employment, or provide training to allow you to work in a new area

Calculating your financial needs for the long-term

Our specialist personal injury solicitors have a vast experience of dealing with serious injuries such as amputation. This has provided them with extensive knowledge of the often forgotten costs that an amputee may incur throughout their future life.

Although you may be provided with a prosthetic limb following your amputation, it may be the case that this later becomes unsuitable and you need wheelchair access. The cost of alterations to your home, or even the need to move to a more suitable property, may not be fully appreciated until some time later.

Your employment possibilities should also be taken into account. If you are unable to return to work or to full-time employment, or need to seek an alternative type of work, these will affect your earning capacity and the full implications of this should be taken into account before the final compensation calculations are made.

Such things as holidays can prove much more expensive if adapted accommodation, for example, is needed. Facilities such as no stairs, or easy access to the pool and many other aids that may be required to provide a happy and enjoyable holiday, will inevitably incur additional costs.

Other factors that can too easily be overlooked are the costs of automatic transmission vehicles and adaptations to vehicles, or hobbies such as specially adapted bikes. Moreover, activity holidays such as skiing also have their own list of special requirements that may be necessary to allow amputees to take part in these popular activities.

All these costs and more can add up to a significant sum that an amputee will need to pay out over their lifetime, and which, within reason, our specialist solicitors will ensure are included in any final calculation of compensation.

Personal injury news stories

Clear Answers’ specialist personal injury solicitors deal with a large number of all types of personal injury and accident compensation claims each year, many resulting in serious injuries such as head and brain injuries as well as amputations. Details of some of these successful compensation claims can be found in our Personal Injury News Section, which is updated regularly.

Below are some examples of clients for whom we successfully claimed compensation when they became an amputee through the negligence of others.

Work accident compensation for finger amputation injury

Our specialist work accident compensation lawyers were forced to issue court proceedings in order to secure appropriate compensation for this client. The defendant, his employer, refused to admit liability for his injuries caused by a completely avoidable workplace accident, and which resulted in him suffering a traumatic amputation and other serious injuries to his hand.

Before the trial date, they negotiated fiercely and were able to secure a six-figure sum in work accident compensation.
More about Work accident compensation for finger amputation injury

A UK charity has reported a rise in type-2 diabetes

Some people have type-2 diabetes for up to 10 years without being aware and where this happens complications can occur. The charity's report stresses the importance of NHS vascular screening to detect early signs to avoid the development of dysvascularity - high blood glucose levels which damage the blood vessels and reduce the supply of blood to an affected limb. Dysvascularity can result in the affected limb having to be amputated.
More about A UK charity has reported a rise in type-2 diabetes

Medical negligence compensation after misdiagnosis results in leg amputation

A string of medical negligence errors and missed opportunities to correctly diagnose and treat this client resulted in the amputation of his lower leg. Despite repeated visits to his GP and his local A&E department, he was told on numerous occasions that the cause of the chronic pain in his leg was probably due to a torn or ripped muscle.

Even when tests were carried out, further errors were made. On one occasion, a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) scan was carried out on the wrong part of his leg, naturally showing no sign of a problem.
More about Medical negligence compensation after misdiagnosis results in leg amputation

Making a claim for compensation following an amputation

If you or a member of your family has suffered an amputation, either in an accident or as the result of clinical negligence, it is vital that you seek specialist advice as quickly as possible. Clear Answers’ specialist serious injury solicitors can give guidance and assistance on whether it is possible to make a claim for compensation.

Our team of expert personal injury lawyers is waiting to help you, happy to explain the claims process in plain English, and to answer any questions you may have regarding your compensation claim.

If you would like Clear Answers to help you receive the compensation to which you are entitled, please telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete our online compensation claim form and one of our representatives will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the circumstances of your accident or injury.

Win or lose, there is nothing to pay in order for us to pursue a valid personal injury claim. There are some exceptions to this in Medical Negligence cases. Please go to our Costs and Risks section for more detailed information on these and how Clear Answers will handle your claim and funding.

Alternative funding arrangements may apply in Northern Ireland due to differing procedures and Law Society regulations.

[ Back to top ]
[ Back to serious injuries ]

News

Serious injury compensation lawyers