Amputation Claims Solicitors

Amputation compensation claims can arise from various situations, including medical negligence and accidents. Proving negligence is crucial for a successful claim, which involves establishing fault and the extent of the injury, as well as understanding the support required for individuals affected by amputations.

How can our amputation solicitors help?

An amputation can alter the course of your life, but it doesn’t have to dictate it.

Our serious injury claims solicitors have helped thousands of people regain their independence after an amputation. Our amputation claims lawyers provide crucial financial support and guidance, ensuring that clients can pursue their claims without financial worries through a No Win No Fee arrangement.

Whether you lost a limb due to a workplace accident, road accident, or something else, we can build a solid case for amputation compensation and help you get the support you need to move forward. Compensation cannot undo your injury, but it can help you adapt your home, buy custom prosthetics, and access the pain management, psychiatry, and rehabilitation services you need to rebuild your life.

We take a holistic approach to amputation claims. Besides securing the compensation you need—for the rest of your life, not just for now—we will also connect you with a network of amputation care experts so you can easily access these services.

Types of amputation claims

Around 5,000 to 6,000 major limb amputations are carried out each year in the UK. They can result from various catastrophic accidents, and our solicitors are well-equipped to handle all types of loss of limb claims.

Road accidents

Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, including limb loss. A road traffic accident may lead to amputation instantly during the impact or as a subsequent medical decision due to the severity of your injuries. Motorcycle and bicycle riders are especially vulnerable due to the lack of physical protection compared to cars.

Road users have a duty to be reasonably careful and considerate towards other road users and must comply with relevant traffic laws. If someone else’s careless driving caused you to lose a limb, you may be entitled to compensation. Legal support is crucial for those affected by a road traffic accident to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

Workplace accidents

In some occupations, man and machinery work very closely together. Industrial jobs, especially manufacturing and construction, put workers at a higher risk of limb injuries due to heavy machinery, vehicles, and working at heights. For example, getting your arm trapped in a conveyor belt can lead to a traumatic amputation.

Workers’ safety should be their employers’ top priority, but health and safety measures are sometimes overlooked. If you have suffered an accident at work, our solicitors can help you claim compensation and ensure your employer takes steps to prevent similar accidents from happening to others.

Medical negligence amputation

Not all amputations are caused by external trauma; some happen due to medical procedures gone wrong. For example, a botched surgery or delayed diagnosis of an underlying condition such as diabetes can lead to sepsis or poor blood flow that requires a limb amputation.

In such cases, you may need to make an amputation negligence claim, which involves understanding the process and implications, including the importance of seeking legal advice promptly due to time constraints.

Healthcare professionals have a duty to provide you with a certain standard of care. You may have a medical negligence claim if they fall short of that duty. Our solicitors can help you navigate the complex legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.

Other accidents

Accidents that result in amputations can also occur in a variety of other unexpected settings, including:

• Falls from height
• Being crushed or pinned by heavy objects
• High-voltage electric shocks
• Explosive incidents, whether in a military or industrial context
• Limbs getting trapped in gaps or small spaces, such as between a train and the platform

Whatever the circumstances of your accident, if someone else’s negligence or misconduct played a role in your limb loss, our solicitors can help you hold the responsible party accountable and get justice for your injuries.

Choosing the right solicitor

Many factors affect the outcomes for amputees, including the type and extent of the amputation, your age, whether you can continue to work and perform daily tasks, and how well you and your family can cope practically and psychologically with the loss of a limb.

A wide range of complications can arise following amputation, including feelings of grief and phantom limb syndrome. Accessing a comprehensive range of support services is extremely important. The earlier you engage with therapeutic care, the better your chances of a successful recovery and adaptation.

Our solicitors understand that. From the beginning, our focus, as solicitors who specialise in catastrophic injury claims, has been to secure your funding quickly so you can access the best rehabilitation pathways as soon as possible and continue to access the best care for life.

Because amputations are life-changing injuries, they tend to attract the highest level of injury compensation. We have a proven track record of securing seven-figure settlements for our clients, enabling them to live comfortably and independently following their amputation injury.

Expert amputation claim solicitors

Where many firms may use unqualified case handlers, our team comprises qualified solicitors who specialise in winning catastrophic injury claims for our clients. Our team is ‘highly respected’ in complex, high-value personal injury claims, as quoted in Legal 500, and several of our team members are highly ranked in Chambers and Partners.

Partners Ben Posford and Robert Aylott lead in this area. Ben acts exclusively for claimants who have suffered life-changing injuries of the utmost severity, including amputations, and regularly contributes to the national media on the importance of rehabilitation and access to justice for amputees and other severe injury victims.

Rob is an amputation specialist and head of major trauma at the firm. He has helped hundreds of accident and medical negligence victims secure high-value compensation for their injuries.

Specialist amputation lawyers like Rob play a crucial role in addressing claims related to medical negligence, such as untreated pressure sores, that result in severe medical consequences, including amputation. He deals with claims worth several million pounds.

Support for living with the loss of a limb

The firm is a proud legal panel member of the Limbless Association, a leading national charity devoted to supporting and empowering amputees. We share their belief in getting early intervention and the best care and support following an amputation.

We are also a Major Trauma Signposting Partnership Approved Legal Partner. Rob regularly sees clients at St Georges’ Hospital, although our team can support and visit you anywhere in the UK.

Amputation claim case studies

We have a proven track record of obtaining six and seven-figure settlements for clients who have suffered traumatic amputations—and we can do the same for you. Read how we have helped other people here.

The amputation claims process

The claims process will depend on the cause of the amputation and who you are claiming against. For example, a medical negligence case against the NHS will follow a different process than a workplace accident claim against your employer.

Please book an initial consultation with our serious injury team to start a claim. In this meeting, we will listen to your story and advise whether we believe you have a valid claim.

Our solicitors will explain how the claims process works so you know what to expect. We will also discuss the options available to fund your claim. Almost all amputation claims can be pursued through a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement. This means you will not be required to pay legal fees if you do not win your claim.

Amputation compensation and camages

How is compensation assessed in amputation cases?

How much compensation you receive for an amputation claim depends on various factors, including the severity of the injury and its impact on your lifestyle and ability to work.

Compensation is intended to put you back in the position you were in before your injury occurred. When it comes to amputations, this is not always possible. As a result, the compensation awarded will be based on the value of what you have lost and what you will need to live comfortably and independently.

Because compensation for amputations is assessed individually, the settlement amount can differ widely from one claimant to another. For example, a high earner who can no longer work because of amputation may have a sizeable future loss of earnings claim. A sporty young amputee may have a substantial claim for the cost of a custom-built sports prostheses.

The damages that you can recover include:

• Medical and care costs: This includes paying for private medical treatment, rehabilitation, therapy, counselling services, private caregivers, and any other type of care support.
• Prosthetics: The cost of prostheses, orthotics, and mobility aids, including custom or state-of-the-art limbs for specific activities such as sports or work.
• Adaptations: Any modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate your amputation injury.
• Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical pain caused by an amputation injury, as well as the emotional and psychological trauma that might accompany it.
• Lifestyle changes: These damages are intended to compensate you for the injury’s impact on daily activities, relationships, hobbies, and overall quality of life.
• Loss of earnings: When you lose a limb, you will be unable to work for a period, or you may not be able to return to your previous line of work. Loss of income can be a significant part of the compensation you receive, particularly if you hold a high-paying job.

What is a typical amputation claim payout?

People who undergo limb amputation often require years of support and rehabilitation, and this may include counselling and psychological treatment for both themselves and their families. Home adaptations and loss of earnings can also be substantial.

For this reason, amputation cases that involve a major limb (arm amputation claims, leg amputation claims, hand amputation claims, foot amputation claims) can attract multi-million-pound settlements.

The severity of your injury is the primary deciding factor that goes into calculating the settlement value. If you have suffered a partially amputated finger, you realistically will receive less than someone who has had an arm amputated and requires a prosthetic limb.

Support and rehabilitation services

Recovering from an amputation is a journey that extends far beyond the operating room and involves more than just the physical healing process. At Osbornes Law, we understand that comprehensive support and rehabilitation services are crucial to your recovery and independence.

Soon after you contact us, we will provide access to free Independent Needs Assessments. This service evaluates the impact of your injury and identifies the support you need, both now and in the future. We will seek early interim payments to fund the rehabilitation required wherever possible. Early interim payments are made before the claim is settled and go a long way toward ensuring your immediate needs are met.

Access to medical care and rehabilitation

We ensure that our clients have access to the highest-quality medical care and rehabilitation services. This includes arranging for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and any additional specialist support you may require. We aim to facilitate your return to the highest level of function and independence possible.

Psychological Support

The emotional and psychological impact of amputation cannot be overstated. For many, the loss of a limb can trigger a grieving process along with potential long-term psychological challenges. We advocate for consistent psychological support, including counselling and therapy, to aid in adjusting to life post-amputation and to promote mental well-being.

Prosthetics

Adapting to life with a prosthesis is an essential aspect of rehabilitation post-amputation. We work with leading limb loss charities to ensure you have access to the most advanced prosthetic technology suited to your individual needs. Whether for everyday use or specialised activities, we aim to connect you with prosthetics services that enhance mobility and autonomy.

Adaptation to Lifestyle Changes

Post-amputation life may require significant adaptations to your lifestyle. From home and vehicle modifications to integrating assisted technologies, we aim to secure the services and funding to make these transitions seamless.

Funding your limb loss claim

We have a range of funding options to help you finance your amputation claim. Most claims are managed on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis. This approach allows you to proceed with your claim without any upfront costs, and you will only pay a fee if we successfully secure compensation for you.

If you have legal expenses insurance or are a trade union member, your legal fees may be covered by insurance. We can look into this for you.

It is also possible to self-fund your legal case. If you choose this option, rest assured that we provide a transparent fee structure and will discuss the potential costs with you from the outset.

What role does Osbornes Law play in the claims process?

Amputations are among the most serious injuries. Claims can be incredibly complex and result in very high settlements. Since most personal injury claims end up on the desk of an insurance company, you need a legal team that knows how to deal with these large organisations.

To ensure your claim is as stress-free as possible, we will handle all correspondence with the responsible party, their legal team, insurance companies, the court, and any other third parties involved in your case. We will also handle negotiations on your behalf and ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

Your rehabilitation is our priority. Besides handling the legal aspects of your claim, we will connect you with charities, support groups, and medical professionals who can help you cope with the emotional and physical challenges of amputation.