Amputation Claims in South Wales

Losing a limb is devastating and life changing, with profound consequences for you and your loved ones. Where you suffered an amputation due to medical negligence, it is understandable to be angry, confused and very upset, especially where you believe the amputation could have been avoided with proper medical care.

For most people, claiming compensation is the only way to deal with the consequences of medical negligence resulting in amputation, including paying for private healthcare, high quality prosthetics, counselling and other forms of support, as well as replacing lost income. Making a compensation can also be the best way of getting answers about what went wrong.

The thought of making an amputation compensation claim might be intimidating at this already difficult time, but with the right legal advice and support, the process can be kept much simpler and less stressful than you might assume. We strongly recommend speaking to an expert medical negligence lawyer as soon as possible to give you the best chance of a successful medical amputation claim.

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Why choose Devonalds for your amputation claim?

We are extremely proud of the strong connection we have with our local community. Most of our team were born and bred in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area, where we have advised and represented individuals and families for more than three decades on a wide range of medical negligence matters.

Our amputation solicitors in South Wales will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about your claim in plain English and will provide you with a personal service tailored to your requirements. As well as providing help in making an amputation claim, we can also advise you on the various types of support that are available to you, including rehabilitation services and charities.

We have a close working relationship with some of the UK’s leading prosthetic rehabilitation specialists.

We appreciate that many people are put off by the potential time, effort, stress and cost involved in dealing with court proceedings, but our amputation solicitors will always strive to settle your amputation claim out-of-court wherever possible. If it’s not possible to reach a settlement by using methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution or negotiation, we can use our strong litigation skills to represent you in court while making sure you have close personal support through every stage of proceedings.

Speak to us today about starting an amputation claim

For a friendly, informal discussion about whether you or a loved one are entitled to make a claim for loss of limb compensation in South Wales, please contact your local Devonalds team in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy or Tylorstown.​

How claiming compensation for an amputation works

Starting a claim for an amputation

Before you consider starting an amputation claim, we will be happy to advise you on the process, including how your case is likely to unfold, the timeframes, your relative chance of success and what will be included. If you have lost a limb as the result of medical negligence, then our amputation solicitors can inform you if you are entitled to compensation.

We can run through all of this information with you during a free initial consultation in which will detail all of the available options. This session is simply intended to give you a better understanding of your case and you will be under no pressure to pursue a claim with us.

No win, no fee amputation claims in South Wales

The majority of medical negligence claims we deal with are funded using a ‘conditional fee agreement’. This is more commonly referred to as a ‘no win, no fee’ deal, which means our fees will only apply if we are successful in claiming compensation on your behalf.

There are no upfront fees and, if your claim is unsuccessful you will not owe us anything. There is also a possibility that the other side will pay for your legal fees if we are successful in claiming compensation.

Proving your amputation was caused by medical negligence

When pursuing amputation negligence claims, we will need to prove that the level of care you received fell below the expected standards and directly resulted in your amputation. To prove that your amputation was caused by medical negligence, we will typically rely on various types of evidence, including:

• Medical records such as risk assessments
• Testimony from independent medical experts
• Witness testimony

Our medical negligence lawyers will use their expertise to effectively gather this information, presenting it in a way which will maximise your chances of reaching a positive outcome for your amputation claim.

Valuing your amputation claim

The process of calculating how much amputation compensation you will entitled to is referred to as ‘assessing quantum’ or ‘assessing quantum of damages’. This will involve an overview of the ways your amputation has impacted your life, both financial and non-financial.

Loss of limb compensation claims can cover a wide range of issues, including:

• The cost of medical treatment, specialist care & equipment
• Lost income if you need to take time off or give up work
• Pain and suffering
• Travel costs and other expenses
• Loss of amenity i.e. not being able to carry out activities you/your loved one would otherwise have enjoyed
• Providing for your/your loved one’s future financial independence

Time limits for amputation claims

The standard time limit for any amputation claim is three years from the date the amputation occurred. However, there may be certain exceptions where different time limits apply.

If you are claiming on behalf of someone who is under 18, then you will have until their 18^th birthday to bring forward a claim. They will then have until they are 21 to pursue their claim further if it is necessary to do so.

If you are making a claim for someone who has died as a result of amputation negligence, then you will usually have three years from their date of death. Typically, there is no time limit in place if you are making a claim for someone who lack the mental capacity to do so themselves.

If you are still unsure about how long you have to make a claim, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our amputation solicitors in South Wales today.

Reaching an out of court settlement

We will always aim to resolve amputation negligence claims out of court, using our expertise in methods of negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). If you are able to reach a settlement out of court, you’ll save yourself plenty of time and stress, and can help you to access funds much quicker.

Taking a claim to court

If we are unable to resolve your amputation claim out of court, then you can be assured that we have the strong litigation skills needed to represent you during your hearing.

We will be with you every step of the way, working alongside you to prepare an effective case that gives you the best possible chance of achieving your desired outcome. Our amputation solicitors will work with you to keep the process as clear and transparent as possible, informing you about the progress of your case at every stage.

Managing compensation for an amputation claim

Amputation claims can result in significant compensation being awarded, so it’s vital that you carefully manage these funds to meet your long-term needs.

Receiving amputation compensation can have an effect on your ability to claim for means-tested benefits, so we can advise you on placing funds into a personal trust which allows you to ring-fence your money without affecting your access to certain benefits.

Common questions about amputation claims

Is amputation a serious injury?

Amputation is considered a serious injury if the injury is particularly traumatic and causes a severe loss of blood. In these cases, an amputation can be very dangerous and often life threatening. Cases of serious amputation injuries are decreasing due to advances in medical science, but they do still occur.

What are the five types of amputation?

An amputation is the removal of a limb or extremity through surgery, and comes in five common types:

• Above knee amputations
• Below knee amputations
• Foot and toe amputations
• Arm amputations
• Hand and finger amputations

What is classed as loss of limb?

A loss of limb is categorised as an injury that causes the severing of a body part. This severing can be minor in nature, such as the loss of a fingertip, or major, such as losing an arm or leg. The cause of this injury could be a workplace accident or the result of amputation negligence by a medical professional.

How long does it take to get compensation?

You can be assured that we will strive you get you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible, but you should be aware that complex cases can take several years to resolve. We will make you aware if this is likely to be the case, taking your individual circumstances into consideration.

As mentioned, a settlement can be reached quicker if court proceedings are not required, which is why we aim to resolve cases out of court. If you are in urgent need of funds to meet your short-term needs, then we can help to arrange interim payments while your case is still ongoing.

How do interim payments work?

If the healthcare provider responsible for your amputation has admitted liability, but you are still waiting for your case to be resolved, it may be possible to arrange interim payments.

Interim payments can also apply in situations where the exact level of compensation you are due to receive has not yet been decided. The payments will give you access to the treatment you need without being compromised by a lack of funds.

Can I claim for someone who has died after an amputation?

Yes. If a loved one has died as a result of an amputation caused by medical negligence, then you will be able to claim amputation compensation if you were a dependent of theirs. If you are eligible, you will have three years from the date of their death to bring forward a claim.

Will I get an apology?

We appreciate how important it is to have the mistakes in your care acknowledged so we will always strive to get you an apology. However, even in situations where we are able to secure compensation, we cannot guarantee that you will receive an apology from the healthcare provider responsible for your amputation.

Start an amputation compensation claim

For a friendly, informal discussion about whether you or a loved one is entitled to pursue amputation compensation in South Wales, please contact your local Devonalds team in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy or Tylorstown.