Life After Amputation: Rehab, Prosthetics and Support

For a free, confidential assessment call 0333 777 5001.

Losing a limb after an accident or delayed treatment changes daily life straight away. Mobility, work, personal care and family routines may all need to be rethought. Alongside the medical treatment, many people want to know what rehabilitation, prosthetic and practical support is available, and how it can be paid for where someone else was to blame.

This guide looks at life after an amputation in England and how a claim can help fund the support you need. If you want to know whether you may have a claim, see our amputation claims page.

Rehabilitation after an amputation

Rehabilitation usually starts in hospital and continues for months or longer. It may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pain management (including phantom limb pain), wound care, psychological support and help with getting back to driving, work or hobbies.

The NHS provides essential clinical treatment, physiotherapy and prosthetic services. Some people also need extra support, for example more intensive therapy, private prosthetic options, a case manager to co-ordinate care, or counselling for themselves and their family.

Rehabilitation should not wait for the end of a claim. Where a claim is brought, the Rehabilitation Code 2015, which the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims asks the parties to consider, encourages early assessment of an injured person’s rehabilitation needs and early agreement on how they will be met.

Prosthetics, equipment and adaptations

Prosthetic needs change over time. A limb may need adjusting, repairing and replacing during a person’s lifetime, and different limbs may suit different activities. Other needs can include:

wheelchairs, mobility aids and specialist equipment;
adaptations to the home, such as ramps, level-access showers or a downstairs bedroom;
vehicle adaptations or a different vehicle; and
help with care, cleaning, gardening and childcare.

Keep receipts and a note of any costs, including travel to appointments. Family members can help with this while you focus on recovery.

How a claim can help fund support

Where another person, business, road user or medical provider was legally responsible, a claim may provide compensation for the injury itself and for the financial losses it causes. Those losses can include lost earnings and pension, care (including care given by relatives), rehabilitation and therapy, prosthetic provision and replacement, equipment, and home or vehicle adaptations, now and in the future.

A claim usually depends on showing that someone owed a duty to take reasonable care, that they breached it, and that the breach caused the amputation. Claims may follow workplace accidents, where section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out an employer’s general duty to protect employees’ health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable, road traffic accidents, or medical negligence, such as an infection, circulation problem or diabetic foot condition that was not treated to a reasonable standard. Each case turns on its own facts and medical evidence.

Where responsibility is admitted or the court is satisfied it is likely to be established, it may be possible to ask for an interim payment under Civil Procedure Rules rule 25.7. This is an advance on compensation that can help pay for rehabilitation, equipment or adaptations before the claim ends. It is not automatic.

Settling too early can mean future needs are not fully reflected, so serious injury claims often wait for a clearer picture of long-term needs. Experts such as prosthetists, occupational therapists, care and accommodation experts may be asked to report on what you will need.

Time limits

For most personal injury claims in England, the court time limit is three years from the date of the injury or from the date you first knew the injury may have been caused by someone else (Limitation Act 1980, sections 11 and 14). Different rules apply to children and to people who lack mental capacity. Getting advice early protects your position and can help unlock rehabilitation funding sooner. Our serious injury claims team can explain your options.

Looking after yourself and your family

Keep a simple diary of pain, sleep, the help you need with washing or dressing, missed activities and the effect on your family. It helps show the real impact of the injury and makes sure your needs are not overlooked.

An amputation can affect partners, children and carers as well as the injured person. Asking for support is practical, not a sign of weakness. You may also find our guide to rehab after a brain or spinal injury useful, as many of the same principles apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim if I was partly responsible for the accident?

Possibly. Compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945, but it does not necessarily prevent a claim.

Can a claim pay for a private prosthetic limb?

It can include the reasonable cost of prosthetics, including future replacements, where this is supported by expert evidence. What is recoverable depends on the facts of each case.

Can a family member start the claim for me?

An adult with mental capacity usually brings their own claim. A parent or other suitable person can act as a litigation friend for a child or for an adult who lacks capacity (Civil Procedure Rules Part 21).