Amputation claims from medical negligence
Amputation following medical negligence, whether because of a surgical error, or misdiagnosis by your GP, can lead to a claim for compensation.
This page is about amputation claims due to medical negligence. For amputation claims after an accident or personal injury, visit our amputation and limb loss page.
Amputation claims from medical negligence cover the loss of a limb due to avoidable errors by a medical professional or body.
Only a small number of amputations are the result of clinical negligence. However, the failure of medical staff to properly identify and treat symptoms could lead to a limb being amputated – with sometimes devastating mental and physical consequences.
If you’ve suffered the life changing consequences of an amputation because of medical negligence, you’ll want to know that your legal team understands your needs and will support you at every stage of your claim.
Our skilled and experienced solicitors have experience securing compensation for clients that they can use to improve their quality of life. Call us today on 020 7650 1200.
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Making a medical negligence amputation claim
If you’ve had a limb, amputated and believe it was a result of medical negligence, contact our team of expert medical negligence lawyers who will provide a free consultation. They’ll listen to your story and advise on whether your claim should be investigated.
Our solicitors can support you throughout the process of a claim, using their years of experience to help appoint appropriate experts, such as prosthetists for example. Our team agree to take your case, they’ll then advise you on the best next steps.
Often this will involve gathering evidence to support any amputation claim, such as:
- Medical records and documents about your injury and losses
- Witness statements
- Financial records
Compensation after amputation
Medical negligence can cause an amputation due to misdiagnosis by your GP, a surgical error and various other situations, such as:
- Reduced blood supply to limbs
- Infection in a wound
- Meningitis
- Diabetes
- Cancer misdiagnosis
Further causes of amputation due to medical negligence could include surgeons operating in the wrong area, incorrect treatment of fractures that causes tissue damage or failing to identify or diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or other problems with your veins or arteries.
Whatever the medical error, if it means you have to lose a limb, - in what was an avoidable amputation, you may have a claim.
How much compensation you could receive for an arm, leg or any other amputation due to medical negligence will vary depending on the specifics of your case.
There are three main areas where an amputation might occur, each one presenting its own challenges and costs that can be reflected in the amount of compensation awarded.
Leg and/or foot – Usually requires the use and costs of a prosthetic leg and/ or wheelchair. You may need therapy to avoid further problems. Compensation can also cover loss of earnings, adaptations required to your home, and additional expenses due to your injury
Arm and/or hand – Amputation of your dominant hand is seen as more severe and often reflected with greater compensation. This is because you might need to re-learn how to write, drive, carry items and do other tasks. It can also affect your job role and earnings.
Toe or finger – Losing a toe can affect your balance, ability to walk and run. Finger and thumb amputations will reduce your ability to grip items. Which toe or finger is amputated can affect the amount of compensation as losing certain ones has a more serious impact.
Some of our clients have used their compensation to:
- Buy better quality prosthetic limbs than are usually available on the NHS
- Access rehabilitation and therapy
- Adapt their homes or move to new accommodation
- Purchase specialist equipment (such as specially adapted cars)
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Amputation case settlements
£1.2m for a young woman
A woman underwent a left leg amputation above the knee after she attended a walk-in medical clinic where she was diagnosed as suffering from a sore throat. In fact, she was suffering from an infection, which developed into staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, leaving her leg with an insufficient blood supply.
Negligent treatment
A client suffered the amputation of his dominant left arm as a result of the negligent treatment of sarcoma cancer. and received a significant amount of compensation.
Blocked artery
A successful businessman went to his GP complaining of pain and pins and needles in his left calf following exercise. The GP diagnosed a trapped nerve and didn’t refer him to a vascular surgeon. He eventually had to undergo an above the knee amputation when his artery became blocked.
See how we helped others
Woman needed below-the-knee amputation after second ankle fracture was missed at University College Hospital
A woman who fell and broke her ankle had to have a below-the-knee amputation three months later as a result of mismanagement of her injuries.
Experimental heart surgery patient needed double amputation to save his life
A man who underwent experimental heart surgery has received a seven-figure settlement from the NHS Trust involved.