Making a claim for amputation/loss of limb

Written By: Ayesha Salim on December 9, 2009 No Comment

There are different types of amputation claims that can be made, from a loss of a leg or the loss of a finger or toe. The psychological impact on the individual concerned can be life-changing, and the level of care and time it will need in order for the individual to recover will depend on the severity of the amputation. Whether or not you can make a claim will depend on the way in which you lost your limb.

Making a traumatic amputation claim

This normally occurs when someone looses a limb during a serious accident. This can happen in the work place, in a motorbike accident, or a road traffic accident. The extent of the injuries could be that they are either complete, or partial where some soft tissue remains. However the body part is completely crushed. Under this type of claim, it will have to be shown that that someone else was wholly or partially responsible for the amputation taking place.

Making a surgical error claim

As with other surgical procedures, unfortunately complications can occur which can sometimes lead to an amputation of a limb for the patient. On other occasions a surgeon might remove a limb on the basis that it is causing a great deal of pain for the individual or is even threatening their health. The patient can make a claim based on both the surgical error and the amputation.

Misdiagnosis

Arguably the worst type of medical negligence that occurs is wrongful limb amputation. There have been many reported incidents of surgeons through misdiagnosis amputating the wrong limb or amputating a limb unnecessarily. In these cases the patient’s life is changed forever due to mishaps that should never have happened. The patient is both physically and psychologically impacted. If the patient wishes to make a misdiagnosis claim, it will have to be shown that the patient’s health was not at risk due to the limb.

Suffering the loss of a limb through a terrible accident or through a surgeon’s catastrophic mistake can lead to life-altering changes for the individual. If you have been a victim to all of this, you are likely to be feeling quite stressful about how you will cope emotionally and financially.

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may find it difficult returning to work. You may also feel that you will need an extended period of rest in which to fully recover. If you feel that your amputation was as a result of an accident that was not your fault, then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Our specialist solicitors will examine your case with sympathy and sensitivity. We are deeply aware of the traumatising effects such a loss can have on the individual.

Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about solicitor, Personal injury Lawyer, medical negligence claim, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation