Losing a limb is life changing and extremely traumatic. If you’ve suffered an amputation due to an accident or medical negligence, you may be entitled to make an amputation compensation claim. Speak to our specialist amputation solicitors for expert legal advice today.
Losing a limb will have life-changing consequences. It may mean losing some or all the mobility that most people take for granted, and you may also need support with tasks you have always previously done independently. It can also potentially have wide ranging and significant implications for your career, your social life, and your family life.
Making a claim for compensation may not be the first thing on your mind after suffering the trauma of an amputation, but it can help to financially support you and your family following your injury, and more importantly ensure you have early access to rehabilitation and the provision of high quality privately funded prosthetics.
Being able to access the right care, support and rehabilitation is hugely important after the loss of a limb and can support you in rebuilding your life after injury and enabling you to continue to do the things you previously enjoyed. As specialists in loss of limb compensation, we never underestimate the challenges you may face after an amputation and have a long track record in supporting people and whole families in rebuilding their lives.
What type of injuries can lead to an amputation claim?
For many limb injuries, such as a broken arm or leg, many people will make a full recovery. However, more serious injuries can lead to amputations due to the extent of the damage caused; for instance, where the soft tissues/muscles or blood vessels are damaged beyond repair.
Coming to terms with losing a limb can be a huge struggle emotionally and practically, as well as financially. That's why we have specialist teams who deal with specific accident types which have caused limb damage or amputation, such as:
What will be considered as part of my amputation compensation claim?
Losing a limb is likely to have significant consequences for you and your family and will often require adaptations to your home and extensive rehabilitation resulting in long-term absence from work.
Our aim is to ensure you return to as many of your pre-amputation activities as possible, which is very often achievable with a multi-disciplinary therapy team and privately funded high quality prosthetics. Amputation compensation can be sought for:
A loss of earnings if you’re unable to continue working, including potential losses to your pension
Costs associated with your rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment
Costs associated with adaptations you may need to make to your home, or if you need to move house due to your injuries
The cost of any professional care you may have had or will need to receive in future, even if a family member or friend provides this
Any equipment or aids to support you in living your life and maximising independence, such as mobility devices or prosthetics
Paul's Story: Life After Amputation
After being involved in a traffic collision while riding his motorbike, our client Paul, a police officer was injured, which led to him having his leg amputated after years of trying to save the leg. Here’s how our personal injury team helped.
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Richard Gaffney and his team supported me throughout my personal injury claim, from being paralysed in a hospital bed to successfully settling my claim arising from a cycling accident over 3 years later. He was always calm and measured in our dealings particularly when I was often frustrated with the slow nature of the legal process. As a fellow cyclist I was reassured by his empathy with my demise. Highly recommend if you are prepared to fight to the bitter end.
Client testimonial (for Richard Gaffney)
Nothing was too much trouble for Matt. He always explained things and made sure I understood everything. I was delighted with the settlement he secured on what I know was a very challenging case.
Client testimonial (for Matthew Tomlinson)
How do I make an amputation claim?
Making a claim for compensation can seem like a challenge, particularly if you and your loved ones are still coming to terms with your injuries. However, it doesn’t need to be a difficult process. At Slater and Gordon, our amputation solicitors have helped many clients secure the compensation they deserve, as well as access to the highest standards of care and rehabilitation, while keeping the process as simple and straight-forward as possible.
The first step is to get in touch with our team, who will arrange a face-to-face meeting to discuss the unique circumstances of your case. We’ll then start the process, working with you and your family to collect all the relevant information and evidence to build your case, and we will keep you up to date with proceedings at every stage.
When pursuing an amputation claim, we take a holistic approach that goes far beyond the legal claims process; our focus is to facilitate early rehabilitation and put in place a team of therapists. We have an in-house rehabilitation coordinator who can provide immediate support and help you and your family navigate the immediate urgent issues such as communicating with medical staff, applying for benefits, or helping navigate a pathway to a rehabilitation centre.
Why choose Slater and Gordon’s amputation solicitors?
At Slater and Gordon, we know just how life-altering losing a limb can be, which is why we go further than simply pursuing financial compensation on your behalf; we're here to help provide all the support, understanding and rehabilitation you'll need to overcome such life-changing injuries.
Our team of amputation solicitors are leaders in their field; many hold APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) accreditations and have been continuously ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. We also work closely with our in-house rehabilitation coordinator, allowing us to provide a holistic approach to your treatment and ensuring you get the best possible rehabilitation, interim payments, compensation and further care.
We’re committed to helping those suffering from serious injuries, and as part of this commitment, we work with a number of charities and partners to help support long-term recovery, including (but not limited to) the Limbless Association, Victim Support, and Disabled Living.
Overall, Slater and Gordon provided a very good service to me. From the first phone call through to the last correspondence they were so helpful and understanding towards me. Always listened to me and acted on my wishes. Would definitely use them again!
Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
Excellent staff! As well as keeping me well informed at all times on my claim, the communication was first class. Staff should be commended on their work commitments and service to public.
Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
I would like to say a big thank you to you and your team for an outstanding job, and I will be advising everybody to use you. Once again, thank you.
Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
We’re no win no fee specialists, meaning there’s no financial risk when making a claim for an accident at work or in a public place.
Talk to the experts
We have teams of legal experts who specialise in representing those who’ve suffered injuries as a result of accidents at work and in public places.
Tailored advice
As specialists in accidents at work and public places, we'll ensure your case is dealt with swiftly, whilst ensuring you receive the maximum compensation.
Your local law firm
We’re a reputable National law firm with expert lawyers in local areas across England, Scotland and Wales.
Speak to one of our personal injury solicitors today
How much could I receive in loss of limb compensation?
Compensation payments for limb injuries and amputations vary greatly, as factors such as loss of mobility, loss of earnings and trauma suffered are all considered. However, our specialist solicitors fully understand the complexities and difficulties of every limb injury and will always seek to claim compensation that enables rehabilitation to begin at the earliest possible stage so you can get on with living your life to the fullest.
Where there are future needs, such as house adaptations and modifications, rehabilitation and treatment, as well as any loss of earnings, we will always factor those costs into your compensation claim.
Is there a time limit for making a claim for loss of limb compensation?
Under UK law, an injury claim must be brought within three years of the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions, such as if you're claiming on behalf of someone who does not have capacity or is a minor. The time scale may be different in the event the accident happened abroad.
It's therefore important that you speak to a specialist amputation solicitor as soon as you are able, and they will be able to advise you on any deadlines pertinent to your case.
Can I get financial support before my amputation claim is settled?
No one should have to worry about their finances after suffering an injury, yet time out of work and expensive treatment and rehabilitation can cause significant financial pressure. That is why we work hard to secure interim payments during your claim, providing you with financial assistance before your claim has been settled.
The amount you will be paid for an interim payment will vary, and the early payment will be deducted from the final amount of compensation once this has been established. For more information, see our guide to interim payments.
Can I make a No Win No Fee amputation claim?
We take on most of our amputation claims on a No Win No Fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to you, and no legal fees to pay if your claim is unsuccessful. This means that there is never any financial risk to making a claim for your injury.
How long does it take to make an amputation claim?
Every serious injury claim is different, and how long the case will take can be dependent on a number of factors, including the circumstances that led to the injury and how straightforward it is to establish liability. It’s best to speak to a specialist serious injury solicitor, who will review your case in more detail.
Can I make an amputation compensation claim on behalf of someone else?
You may be able to claim amputation compensation on behalf of someone else, depending upon your circumstances. If a loved one is not able to be able to pursue a claim themselves – for instance, if they are under the age of 18 or lack mental capacity – the law allows another person to make a claim on their behalf to ensure they still receive the compensation they deserve.
To find out more about making a claim on behalf of a loved one, visit our guide here.
Overall, Slater and Gordon provided a very good service to me. From the first phone call through to the last correspondence they were so helpful and understanding towards me. Always listened to me and acted on my wishes. Would definitely use them again! Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
Excellent staff! As well as keeping me well informed at all times on my claim, the communication was first class. Staff should be commended on their work commitments and service to public. Client testimonial (Personal Injury)
I would like to say a big thank you to you and your team for an outstanding job, and I will be advising everybody to use you. Once again, thank you. Client testimonial (Personal Injury)