Loss of Limb Claims

Losing a limb is a terrifying, unimaginable reality for some. Whether you lost a limb during an accident or after the event where the limb could not be saved, your life will have changed forever. If you have lost a limb because of an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation by those responsible.

Am I eligible to make a loss of limb claim?

Whichever part of your body has been amputated, from a hand to a leg, losing a limb is a life-changing experience that you deserve justice for. The best way to receive justice for losing a limb in an accident that isn’t your fault is with a successful compensation claim.

In order to succeed, you’ll need to prove the accident that caused your amputation was due to another party’s negligence. When you approach Injury Lawyers 4U, together, we’ll establish whether or not the parties responsible for your loss of limb:

Owed you a duty of care;
Breached that duty of care; and
Their breach caused you to lose one or more of your limbs.

Common causes of loss of limb claims

Loss of limbs or amputation due to a workplace accident

Accidents in the workplace can range from minor incidents to catastrophic injuries. Some of the most severe injuries suffered in the workplace can be amputations or injuries that lead to amputation. Often workplaces are dangerous places involving equipment that can cause serious injuries to individuals if the machinery is defective, or an individual is not sufficiently trained to use machinery. Different workplaces present many dangers that, if not properly checked and secured, can lead to injury.

At Injury Lawyers 4U, we have years of experience handling workplace accident claims, including those involving the loss of limbs. Our experts will gather evidence and build a strong case to determine if your employer is at fault, and fight for the justice you deserve.

Loss of limbs or amputation due to medical negligence

Though most common in the workplace, amputation can also occur in the places we should feel the most safe: in the care of a medical professional. Of course, sometimes amputation is the only viable option after an injury, but sometimes this happens as a result of negligence. In 2014, a man was misdiagnosed with an ankle sprain that was eventually revealed to be something far worse. This led to the amputation of the leg below the knee a year later.

Even medical professionals can make mistakes. However, if their medical negligence has led to your loss of limb, they are responsible for your condition and the resulting trauma due to their duty of care.

Loss of limbs or amputation due to road traffic accidents

Car and motorbike accidents can also be a cause of limb loss. In this case, depending on what happened during the accident, the driver, the person who crashed into you or even the local council in control of the roads may be at fault. Either way, we’ll help you compile the evidence and seek the maximum level of compensation available from the responsible party.

Common types of limb amputation

Amputations are life-altering, and the impact can vary depending on the location of the amputation. Here are some of the ways they can happen:

Above-knee amputation (AKA): Removing the leg above the knee joint. This makes it harder for prosthetics to work than below-knee amputations.
Below-knee amputation (BKA): Removing the leg below the knee. This is a less complex procedure and requires less complex prosthetics.
Foot amputation: Removal of the foot.
Upper limb amputation: This includes above-elbow and below-elbow amputation as well as more complex shoulder and forequarter amputation.
Finger and hand amputation: The removal of one or two fingers or part of the hand.
Toe amputation: The removal of one or more toes. This can affect balance depending on which toes are lost.

How much compensation can I receive for a loss of limb claim?

Each of the above amputations come with a certain level of compensation depending on the advisory laws of the Judicial College Guidelines. To receive an estimate of the compensation you should expect for general damages, use our compensation calculator.

General damages cover the injury itself, Special damages on the other hand, which our calculator doesn’t cover, will compensate for more esoteric charges like travel cost, rehabilitation and more.

What are the time limits for making a loss of limb compensation claim?

In most cases, there is a three-year time limit from the time you lost the limb to begin your claim. However, our advice is to start your loss of limb claim as soon as you possibly can. Get in touch and we’ll help you gather evidence and put together an airtight case in pursuit of justice. There are a couple of exceptions to this three-year limit:

If the injured person is mentally incapacitated, the time limit only starts if or when they regain capacity.
If you were under 18 when the accident happened, you have until three years after your 18th birthday to start your claim. Alternatively, a responsible adult, called a ‘litigation friend,’ can start the claim for you sooner.

What evidence do I need to support my loss of limb claim?

To put a solid case together, we’ll need some key evidence from you. Here are some of the details that will help:

The date, time, and specific location of the accident.
Details of loss of limb accident, including your account of what happened and who you believe was at fault.
Contact and insurance information of all parties involved.
Any available police reports documenting the incident.
Any information or findings from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) or a local authority if they investigated the incident.
Photos or videos from the scene, which could include photos taken by you or CCTV from the scene.
Contact details for any witnesses.
Records of any medical treatment you received for your limb, whether at the scene or afterwards at the doctor’s office or hospital.

Using this evidence, we’ll build a strong case to secure the compensation you are entitled to. We’ll help you understand your rights and start your claim on a solid foundation.

Why should I make a claim for loss of limbs or amputation?

If the worst has happened and you have lost a limb, be it at work, due to medical neglect or in a road traffic accident, there will of course be a recovery time, rehabilitation and a period of healing. This time will include dealing with the trauma of the injury, perhaps even stress, depression or anxiety. In this period, you should take the time to unpack the accident and figure out if negligence played a part. If you’re sure the accident that caused your loss of limb was not your fault, you should contact Injury Lawyers 4U.

We’ll help you obtain the compensation needed to support your recovery and even assist in rehabilitation in certain circumstances. We’ll be sure to inform the court on how the amputation has affected your life and secure the compensation you deserve.

What are the next steps for making a loss of limb compensation claim?

Have you been affected by a lost limb and the fault lies with another party? If so, it’s time to get in touch with us. Our experts have extensive knowledge of all types of personal injury, including loss of limb and other less life-altering events. We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means you won’t pay a penny unless we bring home a win for you.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do immediately after losing a limb?

The very first thing to do after an amputation or injury that leads to an amputation is to seek medical attention! If your accident occurred at work, your line manager should have recorded it in the workplace accident book. Once you are cleared medically, return to the scene and collect as much evidence as you can in order to make a personal injury claim.

Do I need a lawyer to file a loss of limb compensation claim?

Although it is not mandatory to hire a solicitor for a loss of limb compensation claim, having professional legal support can significantly improve your chances of success. Our extensive experience in handling such cases and negotiating settlements with liable parties, such as former or current employers, means that you’re more likely to receive the best possible outcome. Navigating the legal complexities and facing responsible parties can be daunting, but our expertise will provide the necessary support and advocacy to achieve a fair settlement.

What can any compensation cover?

In the event that the responsible party admits liability, it should be possible to obtain an interim payment from the defendant to fund the following costs, which could be substantial following an amputation :

Prosthetic limbs
Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Psychological Therapy
Counselling
Property adaptations
Loss of earnings
Care and assistance

Can I claim compensation if the loss of limb was partially my fault?

Yes, it is possible to make a claim even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, the compensation you receive will be proportionally reduced based on your level of responsibility in the incident.

What if the responsible party denies liability for my loss of limb?

If the responsible party denies liability for your loss of limb, you can still pursue a case against them. Although this may extend the time required to reach a settlement, our expertise and the evidence we gather together will streamline the process. We will support you throughout, ensuring a thorough and robust case, even if it proceeds to court.

Will I have to go to court for my loss of limb compensation claim?

Most injury claims are resolved through settlements outside of court. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to court, where a judge will make a decision based on the evidence presented.

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