Amputation Claims Caused by Medical Negligence

Medical negligence can have a devastating effect on a person's life and, in some of the worst cases, can result in amputation that could have been avoided. If a medical error has resulted in you losing a limb, a finger or toe, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

JMW Solicitors is highly experienced in helping patients make a successful amputation claim and can provide all the guidance you need to better adjust to life following the loss of a limb caused by medical negligence.

For a free consultation and to find out more about how we can help you claim the compensation you are entitled to, call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and one of our specialist solicitors will be in touch to discuss your case and advise on the next steps to take.

How JMW Can Help

Our solicitors will ensure that you continue to get the very best from life following an amputation and that you and your family are looked after by securing the compensation you are owed.

Leading clinical negligence solicitor Eddie Jones heads an experienced team that is widely regarded as one of the best of its kind in England and Wales. JMW has many years of experience handling amputation and loss of limb claims, securing many significant settlements in cases of medical negligence.

The team includes lawyers that are members of the Law Society's specialist panel for clinical negligence and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors' panel.

Amputations and Medical Negligence

There are a number of instances where an amputation may be caused by the negligence of a medical professional. These kinds of negligence can include:

A surgeon operating on the wrong site
Delayed treatment of an infection
Failure to recognise the blood supply has been cut off to a limb or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Delay in diagnosis of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
Poor management of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients
Incorrect treatment of fractures causing tissue damage

This lack of care can have long-term effects on your everyday life. You may be required to change jobs, or may not be able to work at all. On top of this, you may face significant financial costs when undergoing surgery, rehabilitation and when finding a prosthetic limb to suit you.

Effects of Amputation

Aside from the physical and emotional trauma of undergoing an amputation, there are a number of ongoing issues and illnesses that you may experience, such as:

Severe mobility problems
Permanent loss of function
Ongoing pain in the site of the amputation
Loss of function in remaining joints
Further tissue death in the affected limb

These issues can cause considerable pain and upset for you and your family. At JMW we ensure these ongoing problems are factored in when making a compensation claim on your behalf.

Advice on Recovery After Surgery

Amputation surgery can have a life-changing impact on the lives of both patients and their families.

We have created a guide that looks at the recovery process for individuals who have undergone upper and lower limb amputations, offering advice on what to expect.

Life after Amputation

What Concerns Would an Amputee Have in the First Six Months After Losing a Limb?

Adjusting to life following the loss of a limb can be extremely difficult. Simple tasks can become much more challenging.

It can also cause considerable changes to every aspect of your life, including:

Work
Home
Using transport

To help you understand what can happen in the first six months following an amputation, including how your day-to-day life might change, take a look at this article by occupational therapist Emma Benfield.

Exercise and Fitness for Amputees

An amputation does not prevent an individual from taking up or continuing to exercise and keep fit. When it comes to taking part in sport, physical activity and exercise, amputees and individuals with limb impairments have similar options as those without - although some modifications may need to be made to enable participation.

To help you understand how to keep fit with an amputation, we've provided some advice for exercise and fitness, which includes tips from amputee influencers Jamie Gane and Mark Smith.

Take a look at the advice here.

What Support Can Family and Friends Provide an Amputee?

You may require certain help to assist with your recovery and regain control over those aspects of your life. This assistance can include:

Property adaptations
Rehabilitation
Retraining
Care support
Prosthesis
Specialist equipment
An adapted vehicle

For advice on how family and friends can support you, take a look at this article.

Prosthetics Advice Following an Amputation

Many amputees will choose to be fitted with a prosthetic device following an amputation. A prosthetic device, formally referred to as a 'prosthesis', is provided through an NHS or private prosthetics service in the UK. JMW spoke to prosthetist and amputee, Jim Ashworth-Beaumont, to provide you with prosthetics advice following an amputation.

"Adjusting to life with a prosthesis can be difficult as you experience new sensations and make adaptations to your daily activities; however, you will be assigned a prosthetist to help you with the transition", Jim explained.

For more advice on prosthetics, take a look at this article.

These adjustments can be expensive and also incredibly time-intensive therefore making a compensation claim where negligence was involved is absolutely critical to your current and future welfare.

What Our Clients Say

Talk to Us

If you believe your amputation could have been avoided with better care and treatment whilst in any hospital, NHS or private, our clinical negligence solicitors can help establish whether you are entitled to make a claim.

To speak to a member of our friendly and understanding team about your potential claim, simply call us today on 0345 872 6666. If you would prefer for us to contact you, simply leave your details via our online enquiry form.