Acute limb ischaemia is a medical emergency. When a patient’s oxygenated blood supply to their arm, leg or foot is restricted suddenly by a blood clot (thrombosis) or embolism, traumatic or surgical injury, swift action must be taken to restore the blood flow to the affected limb.
Failure by GPs, ambulance paramedics, A&E or hospital staff to recognise that a patient has limb ischaemia and delays in treatment can result in amputation, leaving the patient with lifelong disability. Amputees often find that their reduced mobility and dexterity affects their ability to live, work or travel independently, or to participate fully in social and leisure activities with family and friends.
If you have received negligent medical treatment for limb ischaemia resulting in amputation, our amputation claims solicitors can help you claim the compensation you need to restore your independence through rehabilitation, specialist prosthetics, therapies and equipment, and a suitably adapted home.
Get in touch with our experienced medical negligence solicitors - we can help.
For more than 30 years, Boyes Turner's medical negligence solicitors have guided clients through the claims process to secure the compensation and specialist support that they need to manage their disability and rebuild their lives.
You can contact us by telephone or by email for free, confidential advice from a medical negligence solicitor. We will ask you to tell us briefly about your injury and your medical care, and advise you about your time limits and whether we can help you investigate your claim. Once our investigations confirm you have grounds for a claim, we will notify the defendant healthcare provider (usually represented by NHS Resolution) on your behalf and invite them to respond, giving them an opportunity to admit liability (responsibility for your injuries) before court proceedings are issued.
If liability is admitted, we will obtain a judgment from the court and apply for a substantial interim payment to meet your needs arising from your injury and disability. If NHS Resolution deny liability, we will advise you about the best way to proceed with your claim. This may involve issuing court proceedings or inviting NHS Resolution to enter into settlement negotiations or mediation.
Partner, Medical negligence
Ischaemia is the medical term for a reduction in the blood supply that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. Unless the blood and oxygen supply is restored quickly, the tissues become damaged and die (necrosis).
Limb ischaemia is a serious medical condition in which the oxygenated blood supply to a person’s limb, (arm, hand and fingers or leg, foot and toes) is restricted or reduced.
When the blood flow to an arm or leg is reduced suddenly and severely, such as by a blood clot causing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or by an injury, surgical wound, or inflammation from infection, this is known as acute limb ischaemia. Acute limb ischaemia is a medical emergency and must be treated urgently to restore the blood flow to the affected limb.
Limb ischaemia can also develop over time as a result of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD can be caused by smoking and lifestyle factors, and health conditions, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. Patients with chronic limb ischaemia from these conditions may experience complications, such as leg pain and ulcers. PAD must be treated as it increases the risk of serious complications of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke. If untreated, the blood flow to the legs can become severely restricted, causing severe pain, ulcers and gangrene from critical limb ischaemia (also known as chronic limb-threatening ischaemia), which may only be treatable by amputation.
Limb ischaemia, or the reduced supply of oxygenated blood to a limb, is caused by blockages or narrowing of the arteries through which the blood circulates to the limbs. Prolonged or untreated limb ischaemia causes necrosis (death) of the tissues and gangrene. Amputation may be needed to prevent the gangrene from spreading.
Acute limb ischaemia is caused by sudden restriction of the blood flow to the limb, such as from a blood clot, thrombosis or embolism (VTE); a surgical injury to the artery; or a traumatic injury from an accident or impact. Sudden loss of blood supply to a limb may also be caused by inflammation and swelling from other serious conditions, such as compartment syndrome, anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), and severe infection or sepsis.
Critical limb ischaemia or chronic limb-threatening ischaemia is a severe form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is caused by a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries (atherosclerosis), which narrows the arteries and restricts the blood supply to the limbs.
The blood circulation to the legs can also be affected by diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking, high cholesterol and other lifestyle factors.
Acute limb ischaemia is a medical emergency. Without urgent treatment to restore the blood supply to the affected limb, the patient can suffer irreversible tissue damage within six hours. Untreated critical limb ischaemia can cause severe pain, necrosis (death) of the tissues, ulcers, severe infection and gangrene, and increases the patient’s risk of life-threatening cardiovascular conditions.
Limb ischaemia may be treated by medication (to prevent blood clots or lower blood pressure or cholesterol), endovascular treatments (such as angioplasty to open a blocked artery) or surgery. However, when there is life-threatening infection, irreversible tissue damage which cannot be salvaged by medical or surgical treatment, or there is gangrene in the affected limb, amputation may be necessary to prevent the gangrene from spreading, to control the condition and to preserve as much of the patient’s remaining limb function as possible .
The level of the patient’s amputation will depend on how far the necrosis (dead tissue) or gangrene has spread. The amputation surgery will also aim to preserve the patient’s ability to use a prosthetic (artificial) limb in future.
Our amputation claims solicitors are skilled in securing substantial compensation in medical negligence claims for clients who have suffered below-knee amputations, above-knee amputations, Lis-franc and foot amputations, upper limb and hand amputations, and multiple amputations.
Medical negligence claims for amputation injury from limb ischaemia often involve one or more of the following negligent mistakes:
Limb ischaemia amputation claims usually arise from GP, hospital or emergency care negligence which has resulted in the patient suffering one or more amputations to their arms and hands, or legs and feet. In addition to their physical injury, many limb ischaemia amputees experience phantom limb pain and psychological injury. They may also be left with an increased risk of further amputation or other life-threatening complications, such as heart disease or stroke.
The amount of compensation that an amputee can claim in a medical negligence claim for limb loss from limb ischaemia will depend on the circumstances of their injury and the impact that their disability has on their life. Claims for amputation caused by medical negligence often include compensation for expenses and losses including:
In cases where the medical negligence has resulted in injury but has also left our client at risk of needing an amputation in future, we can protect their right to claim further compensation if the anticipated future amputation occurs by making a claim for provisional damages. This means that our client receives a compensation settlement for the injury they have already suffered, but can return to court for more compensation at a later date if the anticipated amputation takes place.
Compartment syndrome is a painful and serious condition in which a build-up of pressure around the muscles within a closed fascial ‘compartment’ in the body restricts the blood flow and oxygen to the muscle tissues and nerves, causing ischaemia. Compartment syndrome can affect any group of muscles, including the arms, abdomen and buttocks, but is most common in the lower leg.
Acute compartment syndrome happens suddenly, often after a traumatic injury which causes bleeding, swelling and increased pressure within the muscle compartment. It can also be caused by complications after surgery, such as wearing a cast that is too tight or prolonged pressure on a limb that has been immobile for some time.
Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency and requires urgent diagnosis and surgical fasciotomy to release the pressure within the fascial space. Delays in diagnosis and surgical treatment can cause irreversible damage to the muscles, resulting in loss of function, necrosis (tissue death), gangrene, and amputation of the limb. Patients with untreated acute compartment syndrome suffer limb-threatening injury within a few hours. Untreated acute compartment syndrome can also lead to the patient’s death.
Chronic compartment syndrome builds up slowly over time and is often related to intense physical activity or exercise. Unlike acute compartment syndrome, chronic compartment syndrome can usually be managed with physiotherapy, orthotics and changes to the patient’s exercise regime. In some cases, chronic compartment syndrome may need treatment with surgery.
Ian was diagnosed with a large popliteal aneurysm but was advised he could still go on holiday before treatment. Two weeks later, a clot caused sudden limb ischaemia, and emergency surgery failed, leading to an above-knee amputation. We successfully pursued a medical negligence claim, alleging earlier treatment would have avoided the outcome.
Read the full story here
Mar 2020
Apr 2026
Vanessa Wand handled the research and case preparation and advised me generally on my medical negligence claim over a period of some two years. Her advice was detailed and accurate and was dealt with in an extremely professional and sympathetic manner keeping me fully informed and up-to-date with progress throughout. Although I ultimately abandoned my claim as it was not fully supported by the experts to whom the matter was referred to for opinion, this in no way detracted from the professional way in which the case was prepared.
My number one priority when choosing a firm, was one which would act with integrity and honesty. I am pleased to say I found this in Boyes Turner. From my first communication right through to reaching a resolution, I have been supported by the same solicitor which has made the process much easier. Fran was very supportive and took the time to listen and understand my situation. She was honest, highly professional and kept me well informed throughout the process. She was also friendly, approachable and caring. I am very grateful for her support in helping me to gain some closure and put events behind me. Thank you Fran.
From the first contact with Boyes Turner, I have received a professional, compassionate and first rate service. Julie Marsh has been amazing and I would recommend this firm and especially Julie to anyone. My claim was due to a traumatic experience which has resulted in an embarrassing condition. I received so much reassurance and support and would like to thank the team for that , as well as a fantastic result!
Totally recommend Ben who dealt with our case. He was very professional but also very approachable and his communication was excellent. He always got back to us with our many questions and never made us feel like we were wasting his time. I would really recommend this law firm.
I won my case with the help of Boyes Turner. Prior to doing my research and finding Boyes Turner I tried a different company that you see advertised on the telly for medical negligence, they said that the defendant did everything correctly and left it as that but I knew that wasn’t right, I continued to try other companies but they didn’t want to know. I then researched companies that can specialise in meningitis medical negligence and that’s when I found this company.
From the get-go they were absolutely amazing and Julie was assigned to my case. Julie is an amazing woman, I could contact her as and when I needed/wanted and she was always on hand to help clarify or break down anything that I didn’t understand, she was always happy to answer my questions. If Julie wasn’t in the office her team was also on hand to help with anything I needed. Always guaranteed a fast response. My case was ongoing through the pandemic which made it difficult to go out to see a specialist but Julie and her team were working very hard to make meetings happen and organised alternative ways to make them happen. All the people I’ve come across throughout my case have been so lovely. They all want the best outcome for you and get the compensation you deserve. Thank you, Julie and team.
