We are personal injury solicitors specialising in claiming compensation for clients following an amputation. Stephen Morse has experience with these types of injuries, and introduces our services in this short video.

Read more about work related amputations below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Amputation Claims

Amputations are one of the most serious, traumatic and life-changing of work related injuries, given the physical and emotional impact involved in the loss of a limb. Work related amputations are normally caused by accidents involving work vehicles such as cars, lorries and motorbikes, or accidents involving contact with heavy pieces of machinery without any or a defective guard. Amputations can also result from a worker being struck by a heavy object falling from height, or being trapped by a piece of machinery or a vehicle. Fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms and legs are the most common limbs that require amputation following a work related accident.

Types of Amputation

Amputations are described as being either 'traumatic' or 'surgical'. A traumatic amputation signifies that the limb was actually lost during the accident, and this normally occurs during some form of motor vehicle or heavy machinery accident. A surgical amputation is performed after an accident has taken place, usually in hospital. A surgical amputation is required where the limb has been crushed, partially severed, or rendered useless in the course of the accident. This is a last resort measure and proceeds from a surgical diagnosis that the limb either cannot be saved, or is suffering a serious infection that could spread to other parts of the body.

Post Amputation Medical Needs

The physical and emotional toll of any accident at work may in themselves be profound. When the accident results in an amputation the distress is inexorably increased. Amputations create a whole new set of medical and lifestyle factors for the victim deal with, and completely alters their relationship with the world. Apart from the physical limitations imposed on an amputee, psychological trauma is likely to be ongoing, severe and potentially the cause of clinical depression or post traumatic stress disorder. There is the further chance of what is known as 'phantom limb pain' developing, when the amputee feels sensations, pain or itchiness in the missing limb. Post accident medical care may include further surgery, skin grafts, physiotherapy and expensive medicines to combat infections. Adaptions may also be required to your house or vehicle to suit your special needs, as well a various types of equipment, including wheelchairs, artificial limbs and other prosthetics. These prosthetics are increasingly sophisticated and are designed to allow a wide range of tasks.

Employers Must Take Steps To Prevent Accidents At Work

An employer is under a duty to prevent injuries in the workplace that result in amputations, by ensuring that appropriate guards are in place, that machinery and vehicles are maintained and repaired, that appropriate personal protective equipment is provided, and that the task to be carried out has been properly risk assessed. These duties are required under the following workplace regulations:

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Amputation Claims And Compensation Awards

An amputation claim will need to establish that the employer was legally at fault, or negligent in the performance of his duties towards employees, and should therefore be held accountable for his actions. Amputation claims are often complex and lengthy to pursue, and for this reason it is highly important to instruct an established firm of solicitors, such as Bartletts, with a lengthy and successful track record in this area of work injury law. Action to launch a claim should be taken at the earliest opportunity so that interim payments to cover medical costs can be secured as quickly as possible, and a proper care management system can be put in place to assist the victim in every possible way. 95% of amputation claims are settled before they come to trial. Damages will reflect a range of factors, including pain, suffering, deterioration in lifestyle, the cost of medical treatment, loss of earnings and future costs depending on the victim's medical outlook.