Amputation Injuries
Clinical negligence can sometimes lead to amputation injuries, the loss of a limb due to unforeseen complications or negligent medical practice. In such cases, a claim for compensation can be made.
Any case involving such catastrophic injuries will require specialist legal skills, and you and your family will also need specialist advice and support, and MPH Solicitors will ensure you are provided with both.
We handle a significant number of amputation cases, and many arising during those involving military service men and women, as part of our Ministry of Defence team, but in addition, amputations can unfortunately occur in medical or clinical negligence cases. This can be due to a surgical error, or failing to diagnose a vascular injury, so that the blood supply to the limb in question is compromised.
As well as ensuring that your financial and medical claim are dealt with, where we have managed to establish an admission of liability, we will ensure that an interim payment is obtained so that your rehabilitation is as smooth as possible, and organise prosthetics, physiotherapy, pain management, psychotherapy and a full package of rehabilitative measures.
Unfortunately, it is not always the case that such full range of services are quickly available on the NHS.
Case Example
Damages recovered after amputation of fingertip
The Claimant pursued a claim for damages for personal injuries and consequential losses arising as a result of negligent medical treatment she received following admission to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 27 April 2003 and subsequent treatment she received under the care of the Second Defendant sometime after.
The circumstances of this case involved negligent insertion of an IV cannula into an artery in the arm resulting in the development of compartment syndrome and requiring a fasciotomy. The Claimant was left with muscle weakness in her arm, considerable scarring, pain and discomfort and a prolonged recovery when her symptoms reached a plateu.
However whilst undergoing further treatment at the Robert Jones Hospital, (for her injuries caused by the Shrewsbury Hospital) she again received sub-standard treatment, resulting in amputation to the terminal segments of the left, middle and ring fingers of her left hand.
The Claimant was training to be a speech & language therapist and her studies were hampered. She had fallen behind and found it difficult to type on a computer. Caring for her daughter was also problematic who suffered from cerebral palsy. The award reflected the following losses:-
Pain, Suffering and loss of amenity – £20,000
Award for disadvantage on the open labour market – £13,000
Future loss of earnings – £20,000
Past Care – £22,000
Future Prosthetic Aids – £50,000
Future Care – £50,000
Total: £175,000
