An amputation caused by medical negligence differs from standard amputation surgery. Sometimes amputation is an unavoidable last resort, however, there are some cases where an amputation may have been preventable.
Medical professionals have a duty of care and if that is breached, meaning that you suffered an amputation that should not have occurred at that time, or at all, you might be able to make an amputation claim.
If you need a limb amputated because a medical professional didn’t treat a pre-existing condition or injury correctly, our amputation medical negligence solicitors can help.
Common scenarios resulting in amputation include:
Ischaemia not being appropriately diagnosed and managed
Infections not being diagnosed or treated correctly or aggressively enough
Improper care or management of diabetes
A cancer diagnosis was missed or delayed
Meningitis was misdiagnosed or mistreated
Typically, amputations are divided into upper and lower limb amputation types.
An upper limb amputation refers to any limb or area on the upper part of your body such as arms, hands, or fingers.
The degree of amputation may be taken into account when calculating your compensation claim.
A lower limb amputation refers to any limb or area on the lower part of your body such as legs, feet, or toes.
The degree of amputation may be taken into account when calculating your compensation claim.
After you have contacted us, we can set up a free initial consultation to discuss your concerns, which may include taking forward your claim on a “no win, no fee” basis.
Our amputation negligence solicitors will look into the case in detail and gather evidence from independent medical professionals, who will advise us on whether the treatment was appropriate or not, and if not, the consequences of those failings.
Normally someone has three years to issue a claim at court. This date is taken from when the negligence occurred, or knowledge of that negligence if later. However, there are some exceptions where the claim involves children, or someone who does not have the mental capacity.
We will always try to keep claims out of court where possible.
Our amputation medical negligence solicitors understand every aspect of medical negligence cases.
When we process your claim, our solicitors will be on hand throughout the journey. You can also be reassured that we will work tirelessly to reach the best outcome for you.
For a free initial consultation about making an amputation negligence claim, get in touch with us today.
We’re always there for you. Why not call us today for an informal chat about your situation?
We receive lots of questions about amputation negligence and mistakes.
Here are some commonly asked questions about the claims process and what to expect.
The time limit to bring any medical negligence claim is usually three years from when the negligence occurs. However, there are exceptions to this, including three years from the date of knowledge of the negligence.
It is important to note that the time limit applies to issuing the case at court to commence the claim formally, rather than just contacting a solicitor within that time. As such, it is best to speak to someone as soon as possible if you have any concerns.
It’s difficult to give a simple answer to this question because it relies on many external factors, the most significant of these would include the stance taken by the defendant.
Most clinical negligence cases generally take in the region of 2-3 years to reach a conclusion. However, due to the nature of amputation cases being a complex area of medicine, and the impact spanning multiple different areas of expertise, it is often found that these cases take longer to reach a resolution.
Compensation for the loss of a limb due to negligence will be different for every amputation case and will be calculated on the nature and extent of the injuries, as well as the financial impact, based on the individual circumstances.
More commonly, the courts refer to these as general damages (compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity) and special damages (compensation for financial losses occurring through negligence).
Compensation can be used for such things as:
Buying and accessing better-quality prosthetic limbs
Accessing private rehabilitation, care, and therapy
Adaptations needed for your home or new accommodation
Purchasing specialist equipment