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Peripheral ischaemia is a serious condition in which blood flow to a limb is restricted by narrowing or blockage of the arteries.

'Ischaemia’ means inadequate supply of oxygenated blood to an organ or part of the body. ‘Peripheral ischaemia’ refers to lack of blood supply to a limb.

Protecting our clients when negligently caused injuries leave them with a future risk of amputation

Where a negligently caused severe injury leaves the individual at risk of needing an amputation in the future, a claim can be made for provisional damages, in which settlement is secured for the current injury, preserving the claimant’s right to return to court for more compensation in the event that the anticipated future amputation occurs.

Recent cases include:

  • £900,000 compensation for a 57-year-old client who suffered a below-knee amputation as a result of a vascular surgeon’s failure to surgically treat a popliteal aneurysm. After 15 months of conservative treatment, in which he was monitored but did not undergo surgery, he developed a thrombosed popliteal artery aneurysm. He underwent surgery but required a below-knee amputation. Our client’s compensation included replacing his lost earnings as a result of no longer being able to carry out his former job, and necessary adaptations to his home.
  • £750,000 compensation for a nurse who needed amputation of her left hand, right hand (fingers and thumb), toes of the left foot, and right leg below the knee, after negligent treatment of post-operative sepsis and necrotising fasciitis. She suffered septic shock, multi-system organ failure, ischaemia, brachial thrombosis and peripheral vascular compromise which led to gangrene in her hands and feet. She also suffered a psychological injury. The hospital denied liability and our client’s previous solicitors told her that her claim could not be pursued. She approached us for help. We pursued the claim  and negotiated an out of court settlement which enabled our client to pay for prostheses, therapies, specialist equipment, an adapted car and adaptations to her  home.
  • £450,000 compensation for a 70-year-old client who suffered a below-knee amputation as a result of mismanagement of his anticoagulant medication during and after surgery. He had a medical history of thrombosis and popliteal vascular disease and had an increased risk of thrombosis and femoral artery occlusion (blockage). The hospital error led to him suffering a thrombosis, an ischaemic foot (from lack of blood flow to the limb) and amputation. Earlier in the claim we secured an admission of liability, apology, and interim payments for our client to ease his financial hardship and pay for a bespoke prosthetic limb.
  • £150,000 compensation for a client who lost her central vision in one eye after GP failure to diagnose  ‘amaurosis fugax’ transient retinal ischaemic attacks and refer her to a stroke/TIA clinic for urgent treatment. She has a 1% risk of total blindness if she develops glaucoma in her other eye in future. Correct treatment would have preserved her vision. The GP denied liability throughout the claim, but settlement was reached before trial.
  • A substantial settlement for a man in his sixties who suffered an above knee amputation after negligent hospital treatment of a popliteal aneurysm. A blood clot from the aneurysm blocked the blood supply to his leg. He underwent emergency surgery but it was too late to avoid an above knee amputation.

The classic signs of acute limb ischaemia are sometimes known as the six Ps:

PAIN

This refers to when the limb is at rest. Pain on walking might indicate intermittent claudication which is an early, treatable sign of peripheral arterial disease.

PALLOR

Pallor means an unhealthy, pale appearance. An acutely ischaemic limb often appears white in comparison to the other limb. Other discolouration of the limb, such as abnormally pink, blue, mottled or black, suggests more chronic or advanced ischaemia.

PARAESTHESIA

Paraesthesia is an abnormal sensation, such as pins and needles, or numbness.

PARALYSIS

Paralysis is an advanced sign which suggests an element of irreversible ischaemia.

PERISHINGLY COLD

The limb feels very cold when compared to the other limb.

PULSELESSNESS

If there is no pulse and ischaemia is suspected, arterial Doppler signals should be checked.

Who is at risk from peripheral ischaemia?

Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery and smokers of any age are at increased risk.

1 in 3 diabetics over the age of 50 are affected by peripheral arterial disease.

1 in 5 (20%) of all adults over the age of 60 are believed to have peripheral arterial disease to some degree.

Read more

Peripheral ischaemia is one of the most common types of serious claim against GPs

Peripheral ischaemia is one of the most common types of serious medical negligence claim against general practitioners. This is because delay or failure to diagnose the condition or inadequate or delayed treatment leads to devastating consequences for the sufferer, including ulceration, gangrene and the loss of the limb.

Read more

Peripheral ischaemia claims arising from surgery

Limb ischaemia leading to amputation can also be caused by surgical errors or delays, such as:

  • Surgical injury to the popliteal artery.
  • Failure to protect a patient with a known risk of thrombosis or venous thromboembolism (VTE) by appropriate peri-operative anti-coagulation.
  • Delay in surgery to treat a popliteal aneurysm, leading to amputation
  • If lower limb revascularisation by angioplasty (a procedure to improve blood flow by widening the artery by inserting a balloon or stent) is negligently delayed, leading to avoidable amputation, this may also result in a claim.
Read more

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Meet your specialist team

Our specialist Peripheral ischaemia claims solicitors team are considered leaders in the field and have a significant amount of expertise.
Susan Brown photo

Susan Brown

Partner

Julie Marsh headshot

Julie Marsh

Partner

Richard Money-Kyrle headshot

Richard Money-Kyrle

Partner

Sita Soni headshot

Sita Soni

Senior Associate - solicitor

Vanessa Wand photo

Vanessa Wand

Senior associate - solicitor

Tara Byrne photo

Tara Byrne

Associate - Solicitor

Rachel Makore headshot

Rachel Makore

Associate - solicitor

Alpa Rana headshot

Alpa Rana

Associate - solicitor

Fran Rothwell

Fran Rothwell

Associate solicitor

Ben Ireland headshot

Ben Ireland

Solicitor

Alice Carley headshot

Alice Carley

Paralegal

Audrey Elmore headshot

Audrey Elmore

Medical records coordinator

Nicky Melville headshot

Nicky Melville

Professional support assistant

Susan Brown photo
Julie Marsh headshot
Richard Money-Kyrle headshot
Sita Soni headshot
Vanessa Wand photo
Tara Byrne photo
Rachel Makore headshot
Alpa Rana headshot
Fran Rothwell
Ben Ireland headshot
Alice Carley headshot
Audrey Elmore headshot
Nicky Melville headshot

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Peripheral ischaemia cases

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Awards & Accreditations

Our teams have been nationally recognised over the past decade for their dedication and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients

              Brake | The Road Safety Charity

"Honest, approachable and truly empathetic"

What has to be some of the most testing horrible times was dealt with in a dignified, honest, approachable and truly empathetic manner. I could not begin to do Susan justice for her handling of our case.

Boyes Turner Client

"they kept us fully informed "

I approached Boyes Turner after my claim was turned down by one of the Medical Negligence Claim company. My wife was a victim of medical negligence.

Boyes Turner have acted so efficiently on our behalf and was able to win our case. Anytime we contact them, their customer service was very good as they kept us fully informed of every level our case has developed. They are very friendly and approachable and great in their professional advise. I would strongly recommend anyone approach them for their legal and medical negligence services.

Boyes Turner Client

"Thoroughly professional, knowledgable and approachable"

Thoroughly professional, knowledgable and approachable with communication and updates as and when needed, in what can be a drawn out process, I was always comfortable asking questions and always received answers which were clear and understandable. Highly recommend

Boyes Turner Client

"Amazing professional firm"

I came to Boyes Turner desperate after searching the web for a firm to use for my sons case. He was only a few months so my mind was all over the place, but from the very first point of contact I felt a sense of relieve and belonging. I was welcomed and looked after by amazing staff who always communicated everything so well and went the extra mile to explain things and ensure I understood what was happening every step of the way (THANK YOU SUSAN BROWN). Susan was amazing I felt like I not only had a solicitor but someone who understood my emotions as a mother and always handled me with so much compassion and that was all I needed to keep me going for the 6 years of the case. Years went by in a breeze because of how professional Boyes Turner was. I am so greatful I went through it all with them and mananged to get my son a good compensation. We look forward our new life where my sons needs are priority after struggling for so long. Thank you Boyes Turner and thank you Susan Brown. My family and I are ever indebted.

Boyes Turner Client

"I couldn’t fault them they have been brilliant throughout the whole process"

From the moment I picked up the phone and spoke to Richard Money-Kyrle I knew I had done the right thing by choosing Boyes Turner to take our claim forward and to represent my son. Both Richard Money-Kyrle and Alpa Rana have worked on our case and they both have been amazing throughout, explaining every step of the way and anything we didn’t understand and keeping me updated constantly. This gave me and my family a lot of reassurance.

Both Richard and Alpa are friendly and gained my trust and have been really easy to talk to which has made the process a whole lot easier and smoother than anticipated.
The outcome of the claim was far more than I could have wished for and that was down to their hard work and expertise

I couldn’t fault them they have been brilliant throughout the whole process I would recommend Boyes Turner to anyone.

Boyes Turner Client
Rated Excellent 4.8/5