Around 15,000 amputations are undertaken annually in England and Wales and the majority of these are for complications of diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. Only a small number of amputations each year are as a result of medical negligence. However, amputations can occur as a result of the development and/or miss-management of pressures sores, specifically when proper nursing care and assessment are not put in place from the outset.

Pressure sores which are also commonly known as bed sores or pressure ulcers are largely preventable. They are graded from one to four depending on the severity, with grade one being the least serious.

They usually occur as a result of the care provider:

• Failing to evaluate the patient’s clinical condition and identifying pressure sore risk factors; and
• Failing to plan and implement interventions consistent with the patients’ needs and goals and recognised standards of practice.

If left untreated pressure sores can cause serious complications; infection can set in and in the most severe cases (where surgical debridement and antibiotics are unsuccessful), amputation of the affected limb may be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading further. The decision as to how much of the limb to remove will be dependent upon the extent of the affected tissue.

The failure of medical staff to identify symptoms such as reduced oxygen supply or infection can ultimately lead to a limb having to be amputated with devastating consequences for the patient.

Those who are most at risk are patients who are bedridden, have limited mobility or are confined to a wheelchair.

Between 2010 and 2015, a Freedom of Information Act request showed that the NHS Resolution (formerly the NHS Litigation Authority) paid compensation to 17 claimants who had to undergo an amputation as a result of the development of an avoidable pressure sore.

The impact of an amputation on a patient in terms of their lifestyle and ability to work is significant and greatly affects the damages a patient will receive if a negligent act has caused their amputation.

Here at Jackson Lees, we represent a number of clients who have been affected by the severe consequences of a pressure ulcer. Compensation payments can range from several hundreds of pounds to several thousands of pounds for the more severe injuries. This then enables these individuals to have a good quality of life by putting them in the position to purchase adapted accommodation, vehicles and equipment to include a prosthesis.

If you feel that you or a loved one might have been harmed by an avoidable error then Jackson Lees may be able to help you understand what happened and why; and go some way to help you move on from these mistakes and put your life back together, by bringing a claim for compensation. We fit around your life, visiting you at home and out of hours when required.

Our dedicated team of lawyers will be able to identify the issues affecting you and your loved ones and offer you the best practical advice on the options available to you.

If you would like to talk to one of our specialist Clinical Negligence law advisers, please request a call back or send us a message today.