Can you make a claim for amputation compensation?
There’s no question that having a limb or finger amputated is life changing. However, with constant advances in science, it’s often possible to return to a fully independent life and a successful amputation compensation claim can help make this happen.
You could be entitled to make a claim if you’ve lost a limb as a result of:
- A road traffic accident
- An accident at work often involving dangerous machinery
- Delayed or misdiagnosis of an infection or illness e.g. diabetes, vascular conditions, meningitis or a bone tumour
- Treatment of an injury leading to infection
- Surgical error
If you’re entitled to amputation compensation, we will liaise with third party insurers and seek to arrange for an independent immediate-needs assessment as soon as possible. Where we can, we will ensure any adaptations are made swiftly so you can quickly return to independently managing your life.
We’ll also seek to obtain interim payments at an early stage to help alleviate any immediate financial strain so you can concentrate on your recuperation and rehabilitation.
Types of amputation compensation claims
Here are some of the different types of claims that could be included in your overall compensation claim
- Pain and suffering and loss of amenity – often referred to as general damages.
- Prosthetic costs – including everyday prosthetic limbs and specific sports/hobby prosthetics limbs, plus fitting and maintenance costs.
- Lifelong cost of aids and equipment – to maximise your independence and quality of life. We will arrange for an occupational therapist to assess your needs and include the lifelong costs in your claim.
- Medical treatment – if you require specific medical treatment, it’s often possible to recover the costs of having it done privately, if safe and appropriate to do so, so waiting lists can be avoided.
- Care and assistance – for help with shopping, cleaning, cooking, DIY, gardening and other day-to-day tasks that you would otherwise have done.
- Rehabilitation and occupational therapy
- Cost of moving or adapting your home
- Past and future loss of earnings and loss of pension
- Future risk of amputation – known as provisional damages, this can apply to a non-amputated but injured limb in the case of infection or deterioration, or an amputated limb where complications arise.
- Phantom pain – if you suffer phantom pain, we understand the treatments that may assist in improving the condition and will ensure this is taken into account when considering the right level of compensation.
Reasons to choose Clarke Willmott for your limb loss claim
- Winning record – excellent track record of winning compensation claims, some worth several million pounds.
- Recognised injury and amputation legal experts – accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, Action Against Medical Accidents (AVMA), independent bodies who rigorously assess us to ensure we provide quality and value for money.
- Limb loss experts – not only are we experts in the law, we’re also well informed about the causes and consequences of limb loss. Our team regularly attend specialist amputation rehabilitation courses.
- Prosthesis advice and support – we ensure you get the best advice as to the most suitable prosthetics for your needs, help you choose a supplier and ensure all the costs are paid by the third-party insurer.
- Help to fund your claim – we can help you explore your funding options including ‘no win no fee’.
- Partner led service – where many firms may use unqualified case handlers, at Clarke Willmott your claim will be overseen by a partner who is also one of our most senior lawyers, to ensure you receive the best possible service and advice.
- Support step-by-step – we understand that questionnaires and form filling can be confusing and time consuming. That’s why we offer face-to-face meetings to talk you through the paperwork and help you complete it.
Contact our amputation claims solicitors
Get in touch online or call 0800 316 8892 to arrange a free no-obligation consultation with a specialist amputation solicitor, who will help you understand whether your claim is likely to have a positive outcome for you.
We represent clients nationwide from our offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton and can meet wherever convenient to you including at your home or even in hospital.