Leg Amputation Compensation – How Much Could You Claim?

Suffering the loss of a leg, whether this be in a traumatic accident or surgically after an accident, can be life-changing. We understand that this type of injury can be devastating and catastrophic for most people, as losing a limb can be one of the most psychologically damaging injuries, which is why we’re here to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Keep reading to learn how much compensation for losing a leg you may be eligible for, and how to make your own leg loss compensation claim, or get in touch with our advisors to ask any questions you might have.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Much Compensation For Losing A Leg Could I Get?
2. What Special Damages Could Be Awarded After Losing A Leg?
3. Can I Make A Compensation Claim After Losing A Leg?
4. How Might A Loss Of Leg Be Someone Else’s Fault?
5. What If I’ve Lost My Leg Due To Medical Negligence?
6. How Do I Bring A Loss Of Leg Compensation Claim?
7. No Win No Fee Compensation Claims For Losing A Leg
8. More Information

How Much Compensation For Losing A Leg Could I Get?

How much compensation for losing a leg would depend on a variety of factors, such as the extent of the amputation, the presence of phantom pains and also what financial losses are suffered.

Compensation for personal injury claims can be divided into two heads: general damages and special damages.

General damages compensate you for the physical and psychological impact of your loss of a leg; this can also take into account the effect that your injuries have had on your daily life, such as your ability to engage in hobbies.

Conversely, special damages are compensation for the financial losses incurred as a result of your injuries; we will explore these in more depth in our next section.

When calculating general damages, professionals can refer to frameworks such as the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which categorise injuries and provide guideline brackets of compensation. 

Our table below shows suggestive amounts of compensation taken from the JCG that you might be awarded after losing a leg; please be aware that the top entry has not been taken from the JCG and that this is not a guarantee of compensation.

Injury & Severity	Notes	Compensation
Multiple Severe Injuries & Special Damages	A number of serious injuries as well as special damages such as home adaptation costs.	Up to £1,000,000+
Loss of Both Legs	Both legs lost above the knee or one lost above the knee and one lost below.	£293,850 to £344,150
Below-Knee Amputation of Both Legs	Both legs amputated just below the knee will be at the top end of the bracket.	£245,900 to £329,620
Above-Knee Amputation of One Leg	The level of any phantom pains will impact the amount awarded.	£127,930 to £167,760
Below-Knee Amputation of One Leg	A straightforward below-knee amputation will justify an award at the bottom of the bracket.	£119,570 to £162,290
Severe Psychiatric Damage	The injured person's ability to cope with life, work and education will be considered.	£66,920 to £141,240
Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	Prevent the injured person from functioning at anything approaching the pre-trauma level.	£73,050 to £122,850

For more information on how compensation is calculated, you can contact our advisors.

What Special Damages Could Be Awarded After Losing A Leg?

Special damages that could be awarded after losing a leg include compensation for lost earnings, care costs and medical expenses, for example. Below, we explain in more depth the different types of special damages that could be awarded:

Loss Of Income

After experiencing the loss of a leg, you might’ve been left unable to work. This can result in a loss of earnings or even the loss of earning potential, particularly if you are now unable to perform your job role in the same way you could prior to your accident. These lost earnings can be valued as part of special damages, in addition to other losses such as pension contributions or bonuses. 

Care Costs

Adjusting to life after the loss of a leg can be really tough, especially if you’re unable to care for yourself or your children; professional carers can be expensive but can greatly aid in your recovery. These costs of care, including childcare, professional care or even gratuitous care, can be calculated within special damages.

Medical Expenses

After the loss of a leg, you might now require reconstructive surgeries, prescription medication or even prosthetic limbs to aid in your recovery. 

Rehabilitation And Recovery Costs

With a devastating injury such as the loss of a leg, recovery and rehabilitation can be a longer process. Sometimes it involves prosthetic training, occupational and even physical therapy to aid in your recovery. 

Cost Of Adaptation To Home Or Car

After losing a leg, you might require adaptive equipment, such as wheelchair ramps or hoists, to aid in your daily activities. 

Travel Expenses

The costs of travel, particularly to and from medical appointments or meetings with your legal representatives, can also be valued within special damages and compensated for. 

If you are still wondering, ‘How much compensation for losing a leg could I receive?’, you can contact our advisors for a more tailored estimate.

Can I Make A Compensation Claim After Losing A Leg?

You can make a compensation claim after losing a leg, provided that this injury was caused by the negligent actions of another. We can determine whether you have a valid claim by examining if your case meets the following eligibility requirements:

1. You were owed a duty of care 
2. This duty was breached 
3. The breach led to you losing a leg as a result

The first point of contention here is determining who owes you a duty of care; this differs depending on where your accident occurs. For example, in road traffic accidents, you are owed a duty of care by all road users, stipulating that the roads must be used in a manner which avoids causing harm to others. All road users must also adhere to the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988 as part of their duty of care

Conversely, in workplace accidents, you are owed a duty of care from your employer under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. In accordance with this act, your employer must take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees. 

Finally, in public place accidents, you are owed a duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This states that the occupier, who is the person or organisation in control of the public premises, owes their visitors a duty of care to ensure that they are reasonably safe whilst using those premises.

To discuss the validity of your own leg loss claim, you can reach our advisors today. They can offer you a free case review and provide you with complimentary advice and additional information. 

How Might A Loss Of Leg Be Someone Else’s Fault?

There are many different ways that the loss of a leg can be someone else’s fault due to not performing adequate risk assessments or acting recklessly on the roads, for example. Below, we share when you may be able to make a personal injury claim for different types of accidents:

Road Traffic Accidents

Road traffic accidents can have devastating impacts, sometimes leading to the loss of a leg. This can occur if:

• A driver is speeding on the motorway and fails to indicate to switch lanes. As a result, they cause a collision, crushing your car. Your leg then becomes pinned between the wreckage, later requiring an amputation. 

Accidents At Work

One way that you might suffer the loss of a leg due to a workplace accident might be if, for example:

• You work in a factory using heavy machinery; one day, you notice that one of the moving parts of the machines is defective. This has previously been reported to your employer, who has failed to repair it, and they still instruct you to use the machinery. Your leg becomes trapped in the machine and is traumatically amputated.

Public Place Accidents

An example of how you might experience the loss of a leg in a public place accident could be if:

• Whilst in a supermarket, you are struck by an overhead hanging sign that has not been properly secured. This results in a crush injury to your leg, which later requires surgical amputation.

These examples are by no means exhaustive; if your claim particulars differ, please contact us to discuss this further. 

What If I’ve Lost My Leg Due To Medical Negligence?

If you’ve lost a leg due to medical negligence, you could still be eligible to make a claim. All medical professionals owe their patients a duty of care to provide them with treatment and care that meets the minimum standard expected of them; they can fulfil this duty by adhering to professional standards and properly addressing patients’ concerns. 

An example of how you might’ve suffered the loss of a leg due to medical negligence could be if:

• You were scheduled for an amputation on your left leg. The surgeon failed to read your pre-operative notes and performed the surgery on your right leg. As a result of this surgical error, you suffered the loss of your right leg.

The solicitors on our panel are experienced in handling medical negligence claims and can assist you in getting started today. Get in touch with us to learn more. 

How Do I Bring A Loss Of Leg Compensation Claim?

To bring a claim for loss of leg compensation, you must ensure that it is started within the limitation period. Generally, you have 3 years to make a personal injury claim; however, there are exceptions to this rule. For further information, please refer to our dedicated limitation period guide.

In addition to starting your claim within the limitation period, you must also hold evidence which proves that negligence took place. Evidence in these types of claims can include medical evidence, CCTV or dashcam footage and accident reports. To learn more about the other types of evidence that can prove negligence, you can refer to our guide or contact our advisors.

No Win No Fee Compensation Claims For Losing A Leg

No Win No Fee compensation claims for losing a leg can be made with one of the solicitors on our panel. It is important to note, however, that No Win No Fee refers to the costs of hiring legal representation and not the costs of making a claim.

The solicitors on our panel here at How Much Compensation work on a No Win No Fee basis under a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement. This can be useful for claimants because it means that you’d have no upfront payments for a solicitor from our panel to begin working on your case. Additionally, you’d have no fees to pay for your solicitor’s work as the claim progresses or if it ends unsuccessfully.

Moreover, if your claim were successful, a capped success fee would be deducted from your compensation. The percentage of this fee is limited in accordance with the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, ensuring that claimants receive the majority of their compensation. 

Furthermore, through instructing a solicitor from our panel, you can expect the following:

• Clear and concise updates about the progress of your claim 
• Gathering supporting documentation to act as evidence 
• Working closely with you to develop a personalised recovery plan which suits your personal circumstances
• Negotiating a settlement on your behalf that is representative of the physical, psychological and financial impact after losing a leg

This isn’t all that a solicitor from our panel could help you with. The solicitors on our panel have combined decades of experience acting for claimants when determining how much compensation to claim for the loss of a leg. Additionally, the solicitors on our panel are experienced and highly educated, meaning they can navigate the claims process seamlessly, whilst ensuring that you focus on your recovery. 

Contact How Much Compensation

To get started with your own personal injury claim, you can reach our advisors by:

• Calling us on 0800 408 7826
• Filling out our online contact us form
• Using our live chat

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about loss of leg claims:

Can I Make A Loss Of Leg Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?

Yes, you can make a loss of leg claim on behalf of a loved one if they are unable to make their own claim due to being a minor or mentally incapacitated. In this instance, you would act as a litigation friend.

How Long Will Loss Of Leg Compensation Take To Pay Out?

How long it will take for loss of leg compensation to be paid out depends on a few factors, such as the complexity of your case, whether the defendant admits liability and whether the case ends up going to court. This timeframe can vary between a few months to a few years in more complex situations. 

Can Compensation Be Paid For The Psychological Impacts?

Yes, compensation can be paid for the psychological impacts of experiencing the loss of a leg. In these types of claims, the psychological impact can be detrimental to the injured person, and general damages can account for this. 

Do You Get Disability For Losing A Leg?

You could be eligible for Personal Independent Payments for lsing a leg, which a solicitor from our panel could help you apply for. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

Will A Compensation Claim Impact My Right To Claim Benefits?

In some cases, a compensation claim can affect your right to claim benefits, as compensation is treated as savings. Due to benefits being means-tested, this might ultimately impact your right to claim benefits.  You can discuss this in further depth with our advisors by contacting us today.

More Information

Why not read our other guides about:

• Broken leg claims
• How much compensation for a back injury
• Food poisoning claims

External Resources

• Guidance from the NHS on amputations
• Overview of Statutory Sick Pay
• How to return to work after sickness from the Health and Safety Executive

Thank you for reading our guide on how much compensation for losing a leg you may be able to receive.