Loss of Limb Compensation Claims

Loss Of Limb Claims Categories

There are generally considered to be two categories of limb loss events, traumatic and surgical (or non-traumatic).

Traumatic Loss Of Limb Claims

While any limb loss is obviously traumatic, the term ‘traumatic loss of limb’ refers to the way in which the limb has been lost and applies specifically to instances where the limb has been lost in a sudden, unexpected and violent event. Limbs lost in traumatic injury events account for almost half of all cases of limb loss in the UK.

There are a multitude of ways in which a person can suffer a traumatic limb loss but two of the most common causes are road traffic accidents and accidents at work. In these types of traumatic injury events, the body part can be severed or torn from the body or, in some cases, can be so severely damaged that it requires surgical removal.

A traumatic limb loss is an extremely serious medical emergency and if there is significant blood loss, can often develop into a life-threatening situation. Fortunately, with the advancements in medical care and the rapid response times of emergency services, the prospects of surviving a traumatic loss of limb have increased dramatically in the last few decades.

Surgical (or Non-Traumatic) Loss Of Limb Claims

If tissue damage, infection or disease affects a part of the body to the degree where it makes it impossible for the tissue to repair itself, or the effects endanger the person’s life, then the affected part of the body may need to be removed by surgical procedure, this is referred to as a surgical amputation.

Over half of all limbs removed surgically in the UK are as a result of complications of vascular diseases and other conditions that affect blood flow, such as diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Each week In the UK, there are nearly 200 surgical procedures to remove legs, feet and toes due to diabetes alone, and alarmingly, this number is on the increase.

Whilst many limb removal surgeries are undertaken in response to a long-term medical issue, such as vascular disease, some surgical procedures are carried out as part of the immediate emergency treatment to save someone’s life following a serious injury. Surgical removal of a limb may also be considered if an injured limb has been so badly damaged that it is beyond reconstruction.

Potential reasons a surgical limb removal procedure may need to be carried out include:

• Diabetes and vascular diseases
• As part of life-saving emergency treatment following an accident
• Cancer-related amputation
• Severe Infection, such as sepsis
• Deformed limb with limited movement and function
• Medical negligence or misdiagnosis

Surgical Loss of Limb Classification

Any of the limbs and extremities on the upper or lower body can be surgically removed. The surgical removal of a limb can be classified in types of amputation based on two key factors: which limb was affected and at what point on the limb was the surgical removal carried out.

Surgical Removal of Upper Limbs

Surgical Removal of the arms, hands or fingers can be classified as follows:

• Shoulder Disarticulation – Surgical removal of the entire arm from the shoulder joint. In this procedure, the entire arm is separated from the shoulder blade and collar bone.
• Forequarter Removal – A forequarter surgical removal also involves the removal of the entire arm at the shoulder. However, it also includes the removal of the shoulder itself, as well as part of the shoulder blade and collar bone.
• Above the Elbow Limb Loss (Transhumeral) – This is a surgical procedure in which the upper arm bone (humerus) is cut and a portion of it, along with the rest of the arm, is separated from the body.
• Elbow disarticulation – Removal of the lower arm from the upper arm at the elbow joint.
• Below the Elbow Limb Loss (Transradial) – This procedure involves the removal of the arm between the elbow and hand, where the use of the elbow is preserved.
• Wrist Disarticulation – Separation of the wrist and hand from the lower arm. No bones are cut during this procedure.
• Metacarpal Removal – Removal of the hand or part of the hand where the wrist is left intact and use is preserved.
• Digit Removal – Removal or partial removal of one (or more) of the fingers or the thumb

Surgical Removal of Lower Limbs

Surgical removal of the legs, feet or toes can be classified as follows:

• Pelvic Removal, or hemipelvectomy - Surgical Removal of the entire leg and a section of the pelvis. Pelvic removals can be further divided into two sub-categories
• Internal – Where a part of the pelvis is removed but the leg is retained
• External – Where both the leg and a section of the pelvis is removed.
• Hip disarticulation – Separating the entire leg from the pelvis at the hip joint
• Above the Knee Limb Removal (Transfemoral) – Surgical removal of the lower leg, the knee and part of the upper leg by cutting across the thigh bone (femur)
• Knee disarticulation – Removal of the lower leg by separating it from the upper leg at the knee joint
• Below the Knee Limb Removal (Transtibial) – Removing the foot and part of the lower leg by cutting across the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula). This is the most common form of limb loss surgery in the UK.
• Ankle disarticulation – Removing the foot after separating it from the lower leg at the ankle joint
• Partial Foot Removal – Removing part of the foot below the ankle joint. There are many variations of this type of surgical procedure.
• Digit removal – Full or partial removal of one or more toes

Double surgical removal refers to the removal of both arms, legs, hands or feet. This type of limb loss event obviously results in the most significant compensation awards due to the considerable impact they will have on the individual.

Making Loss Of Limb Claims

If you have lost a limb through no fault of your own and believe there is evidence of third-party liability, you may be entitled to pursue Loss of Limb Claims for compensation.

By employing the services of PSR's qualified personal injury lawyers, you have the assurance that you have secured the experience and legal expertise to guide you through the claims process. We can maximise your chances of winning your claim for compensation and receiving the maximum Limb Loss Compensation Settlement that you and your family deserve.

In the unlikely event that your claim proves unsuccessful, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. We offer you the peace of mind that there will be no legal costs to pay, meaning no risk to you.

All PSR’s Personal Injury Solicitors in Wales and our Injury Lawyers in Cheshire are accredited by the Law Society for Personal Injury Claims. Our accredited status as specialists in handling all types of injury claims provides the reassurance you need and guarantees that we have the knowledge and tenacity to secure the maximum levels of compensation for you or your family.

Covering North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside, with offices in Shotton, Colwyn Bay, Ellesmere Port, Rhyl, Wrexham, and Chester, PSR Solicitors is one of the leading firms of personal injury claims experts out there.   When you recruit the services of our expert solicitors you'll have the confidence that your entire claim is being managed professionally, allowing you to concentrate on the most important issues, such as recovery and rehabilitation.