According to the latest figures, the number of amputation negligence claims against NHS trusts has risen by 75 per cent in the last ten years.
A record-high 122 cases were settled against NHS trusts in 2018/19, a rise of 52 from 70 in the 2009/10 period.
The statistics from NHS Resolution show that 28 trusts were found to have settled more than ten claims during those ten years.
Situations where amputation may typically be caused by medical negligence, can include a surgeon operating on the wrong body part, delayed treatment for an infection, or failure to recognise that the blood supply has been cut off to a limb.
The three NHS trusts with the most settled amputation negligence claims were Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, who each faced 20 claims over the period.
It is understood that a settled amputation claim does not necessarily mean a trust admitted negligence. All three trusts represent some of the largest in the country which could be a factor in the number of claims.
Nottingham University Hospital Trust is considered one of the busiest acute trusts in the UK and acts as a major trauma centre for the East Midlands, whilst Sheffield cares for two million patients every year with injuries and conditions which sometimes result in amputation.
If you think you have suffered because of medical negligence. Please contact a member of our expert team, led by Sadaf Tariq, on 0115 824 1700 for free advice about making a claim.