Amputation and Loss of Limb Compensation Claims
Losing a limb can be devastating, whether it happens through an accident or illness. Amputation is likely to have a massive impact on your life, including your physical and mental well-being. It can also affect your ability to work and carry on normal daily activities.
How our specialist amputation claims solicitors can help
If you’ve suffered an amputation as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault, our personal injury solicitors can help. We have strong experience with amputation compensation claims, having secured substantial compensation for clients in the past.
If you are looking for information about amputation as a result of medical negligence, please visit the relevant page here.
Our specialist team can advise you on every aspect of claiming compensation for the loss of a limb. We can also help you access the practical support you need for your recovery.
In most cases, our personal injury lawyers can secure compensation for the loss of a limb without the need for court proceedings. This makes the claims process easier on you, as well as saving you time, legal fees and the stress of attending a court hearing.
We offer a no win, no fee consultation with a member of our specialist personal injury team for every client. This gives you a chance to discuss your situation and find out your options before you make a decision about moving forward.
The majority of our personal injury clients work on a no win, no fee basis. This means there is usually no upfront cost for you to start a claim with us for the loss of a limb or amputation.
Get in touch with our amputation claims solicitors in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Our personal injury solicitors work with clients all over the UK from our offices across Bristol and the surrounding area in Bedminster, Bishopston, Bristol city centre, Kingswood and Thornbury.
To discuss a potential loss of limb or amputation claim with a member of our team, call 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.
Our expertise with loss of limb and amputation compensation claims
Our personal injury solicitors act for clients throughout the UK on a wide range of personal injury compensation claims, including those relating to amputation and the loss of a limb.
We can assist with all types of loss of limb claims, including:
- Leg amputations (through the knee, above the knee and below the knee)
- Finger and thumb amputations
- Hand amputations
- Arm amputations (through the elbow, above the elbow and below the elbow)
- Multiple amputations
We are recognised as leading personal injury lawyers by the top client guides to the legal profession. We have achieved band 2 ranking by Chambers and Partners UK and tier 3 ranking for the South West by Legal 500.
Our amputation and loss of limb claims service
Starting a claim
To start a claim, we recommend first booking an initial consultation with our personal injury team. This gives you a chance to explain your situation, and we can then advise you on whether we believe your claim is worth investigating further.
Our solicitors will also talk you through the various funding options available, such as a conditional fee agreement. We will also advise on how the claims process works, so you know what to expect going forward.
No win, no fee loss of limb and amputation compensation claims
We represent most of our personal injury clients using conditional fee agreements, more commonly known as ‘no win, no fee’ deals. This means you do not have to pay anything towards our legal fees to start a claim and will only normally be liable for our fees if we secure compensation for you.
Funding your claim this way means there is no financial risk to you. If we do not win compensation for you, you won’t owe us anything (presuming there is no wrongdoing or dishonesty). It also means your financial situation isn’t a factor in deciding whether you want to work with our industry-leading team of personal injury lawyers.
Alternative funding options may also be available under certain circumstances. For example, if you lost a limb as a result of a workplace injury, you may be able to access trade union funding for your claim.
Read more about ways to fund a personal injury claim.
Assessing your claim
To be able to claim compensation for limb loss, we need to be able to show that:
- Your injury occurred due to someone else’s negligence.
- The injury directly led to the loss of your limb.
Examples of situations where you may be eligible for compensation include:
- Road accidents caused by another road user
- Workplace injuries caused by your employer failing in their legal duty to provide a safe working environment
- Medical negligence leading to limb loss e.g. surgical errors or mismanagement of conditions such as diabetes or an infection
We will also need to establish the extent of your injuries and the financial and non-financial impact this has had on you and is likely to have in the future. To do this, we will consult with medical experts and look at your medical records. We will also look at various other types of evidence, helping us to build the strongest claim possible for you.
Time limits for amputation and loss of limb compensation claims
You will generally have three years from the date of your accident to bring a claim. However, there are some circumstances where the time limit may be longer.
If you only become aware that the loss of your limb was due to someone else’s negligence sometime after your accident, the three-year time limit may be counted from this date (the ‘date of knowledge’) instead.
If you are claiming on behalf of someone under 18, you will have until their 18th birthday to claim for them. They will then be able to bring their own claim until they turn 21.
Adjusting to life after an amputation injury
Amputation of a limb is a life-changing injury and one which involves a long process of readjustment.
Regardless of the type of amputation you’ve suffered, we’ll involve a specialist from the beginning of your amputation claim to get you the support, treatment and rehabilitation you need to make the fullest possible recovery.
If your amputation has resulted in a prolonged absence from work or an inability to continue your current career, you will be able to claim compensation for loss of earnings. We can also offer advice on re-training and your rights in the workplace under the Equality Act.
Coming to terms with a loss of limb is hugely stressful. We’ll refer you to organisations offering support outside of the legal process, as well as to specialists for advice about prosthetics.
Our personal injury solicitors understand that no amount of money can adequately compensate you for your psychological trauma and physical pain. However, we can help you achieve the financial security you need to move on with your life.
Compensation available for limb loss and amputation claims
There are various types of damages you can potentially claim for the loss of a limb to cover existing and expected future financial losses, and non-financial losses, including:
Medical and care costs: Such as paying for private medical treatment, rehabilitation support, private carers and any other type of care support.
Prostheses and home adaptations: Where you need to buy a prosthetic limb to replace the one you lost and fund any adaptions to your home and/or vehicle.
Pain and suffering: Covering both physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Lifestyle changes: Such as having to give up activities you previously enjoyed, e.g. hobbies.
Loss of earnings: For any time off work you have had to take due to your injury, as well as any impact on your future earning potential.
Interim payments
It’s important when pursuing compensation for the loss of a limb that you do not miss out on the help and support you need while waiting for your claim to be settled. Our solicitors are often able to secure interim payments while your claim is being dealt with to help fund buying protheses, getting rehabilitation care and other types of support you need.
Out-of-court settlements for loss of limb and amputation compensation claims
It is very rare that your claim will be dealt with in court. In virtually all cases, we are able to secure compensation through a voluntary out-of-court settlement with the party responsible for your injuries.
This approach generally allows you to get compensation faster, while also keeping your legal fees to a minimum. It also means you avoid the stress and uncertainty associated with court proceedings, which we know many people prefer not to deal with.
Court proceedings for loss of limb claims
Where the other party will not admit responsibility for your injuries, or where they dispute the level of damages, it may be necessary for our team to initiate court proceedings on your behalf.
However, even when we start court proceedings, it is still unlikely that you will need to attend a court hearing. Most claims that reach this stage are instead resolved with a pre-trial settlement. This allows you to get fair compensation without the need for a hearing.
If you are required to attend a hearing, we will ensure you have the very best representation and sympathetic personal support at every stage of the proceedings, to make the process as easy on you as possible while helping you achieve a positive outcome.
Managing limb loss and amputation compensation
Our help doesn’t stop with getting compensation for you. We can also assist you with effectively managing your compensation, ensuring you are able to get the maximum possible benefit from the money you receive.
We can refer you to relevant experts who can advise you on placing your compensation into a personal injury trust. This trust ring-fences the money, so it will not be considered in relation to means-tested benefits. This means you will not lose out on any means-tested benefits you currently rely on or may need to claim in the future.
Our loss of limb and amputation success stories
£1,050,000 settlement for above-the-knee amputation
We secured a pre-trial settlement of £1,050,000 for a client who required an above-the-knee amputation of their right leg following errors made during knee replacement surgery.
In reaching the settlement, consideration was given to the type of knee replacement required and the impact on the client’s life expectancy, which was considerably reduced as a result of the amputation’s impact on their overall health.
Support for living with the loss of a limb
The Amputation Foundation assists amputees with their support needs and provides information, education and training for amputees, their families and friends, as well as those who work with amputees.
With links to support networks and groups all over the UK, the Amputation Foundation is a good first point of contact for anyone looking to find out what support is available for those living with the loss of a limb.
The Limbless Association is the UK’s leading charity for people who have experienced the loss of a limb. They offer support for people facing amputation, as well as those already living with the limb loss, whether due to an accident, disease or congenital issues.
The charity offers assistance and information for anyone who has lost a limb, plus their family, friends and carers. They also offer a network for those living with limb loss to connect with others in the same situation.
Start a loss of limb compensation claim today
To start a claim for loss of a limb, get in touch for a consultation with our specialist personal injury team to talk about your options and how to best fund your claim.
Our personal injury solicitors work with clients all over the UK from our offices spread across Bristol and the surrounding area in Bedminster, Bishopston, Bristol city centre, Kingswood and Thornbury.
To discuss a potential loss of limb or amputation claim with a member of our team, call 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.