Amputation Negligence Claims
Amputations are traumatic for anybody but finding out they could have been prevented is even more devastating. Here’s how you can claim medical negligence.
What is amputation negligence?
Amputations are life-changing and traumatic for anybody but often need to happen to prevent further pain or infection.
Although not always the case, limbs and digits sometimes have to be amputated as a result of a medical mistake.
Medical mistakes that could result in an amputation include:
- Clinical errors
- Errors in surgery
- Failing to diagnose or treat sepsis properly
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection and may require amputation to save your life.
- Neglecting to treat conditions like meningitis and encephalitis
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain.
Encephalitis is a swelling of the brain.
Both conditions can cause septicaemia, which may require amputation of limbs or digits.
- Not treating vascular diseases properly
Vascular diseases are any disease that affects your system of blood vessels and circulation. Any blockages may cause the need for limbs and digits to be amputated.
Why make an amputation negligence claim?
Amputations can have life-altering consequences, especially if they are the result of medical mistakes.
If this is the case, then you have every right to claim and get the compensation you deserve.
Especially if the medical mistakes happened in an NHS hospital or as a result of GP negligence.
The NHS have a body called NHS Resolution that deals with your claim.
Whereas private medical providers usually have their own departments for handling complaints, as well as their own insurers who pay out for medical negligence claims.
A claim can make the provider aware of the issue and hopefully contribute to changes being made in the future.
It can highlight to others, and the medical provider, the trauma it has caused you. It can also highlight the issues that could have been prevented.
How can I pay for my claim?
You won’t have to worry about paying any fees at all if your claim is unsuccessful.
This is because here at First4Lawyers we offer a No Win No Fee policy, meaning you only have to pay if your claim is successful.
If your claim is successful, all costs will be recovered from your overall compensation at the end of the claim.
So, either way, you won’t have to find any extra money to get the best legal help available.
Only pay a fee if you receive compensation
Our No Win No Fee solicitors will take a success fee from the compensation you are awarded for a successful claim in the form of a percentage of your damages. This could be up to 25% but it won't be more than that, except in cases of road traffic accidents. Changing laws mean our solicitors will now take a payment of 35% of the final compensation amount plus VAT for all road traffic accident claims.
First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.
How much compensation could I receive?
Overall, the exact amount you would be awarded depends on the severity of your claim.
The compensation you receive could pay for the different care, support, and equipment you may need.
There are a few main types of amputation and each one has a different effect on your life.
- Arm and/or hand amputation
If your dominant hand has been amputated then this can be seen as more severe, and you could receive a higher amount of compensation.
This type of injury could have significant effects on your life, such as relearning to write and learning to live with just one hand or arm.
- Leg and/or foot amputation
This type of amputation will usually require the use of a wheelchair and/or prosthetic afterwards.
Therefore, compensation could pay for physiotherapy sessions to train you to use your prosthetic, or it could pay for any mobility aids you may need.
- Toe and/or finger
Having a toe amputated can affect your overall balance, your ability to walk or run, and even stand.
This is an amputation that has severe consequences on your life and compensation could help fund any walking aids you may need or loss of earnings you might have had.
You could also claim special damages, which can cover expenses like any lost wages and transport costs needed to travel to any medical appointments.
Our compensation calculator can also give you an average figure of what you may receive in compensation.
For a more accurate figure, just give First4Lawyers a call. We will be able to put you in touch with a medical negligence expert.
Is there a time limit for making a claim?
A medical negligence claim has a time limit of up to three years after the negligence took place. In some cases, there may be exceptions to that rule, so we recommend you get in touch with us at First4Lawyers.
If you are unsure if you can claim, then give us a call and we’ll be able to let you know.
I think I have a claim – what do I do next?
If you believe you have a claim, then we suggest the first step in beginning a claim is to give us a call.
Our compassionate and understanding advisors will be able to tell you if you have a potential claim.
We will match you with a specialist medical negligence solicitor if we believe you have a case.
They will be able to compile all the information and evidence you need for your claim and start the process of holding the right people to account for what happened to you.
How can First4Lawyers help?
We can take all the stress out of making a medical negligence claim for you by matching you with the best solicitor to deal with your claim.
If you are a victim of medical negligence, then we believe you deserve compensation.
So just give us at First4Lawyers a call, claim online, or request a callback.
