Compensation after amputation

What is an amputation?

Compensation after amputation? Amputation is the removal of all or part of a body part. Most people associate amputation with the removal of an arm or leg, but it can also be the removal of one or more fingers or toes.

When a body part is removed at a joint surface, this is called disarticulation.

Why do you need to amputate a body part?

The most common cause of limb amputation is severe injury that makes it impossible to rebuild the bones and ensure blood supply to the limb.

What kind of accidents can lead to amputation?

The need for amputation can arise as a result of many kinds of accidental events, such as a industrial accident, traffic accident, boating accident or leisure accident.

What types of injuries can lead to amputation?

The most common amputations are leg amputations, foot amputations, toe amputations, arm amputations, hand amputations and finger amputations.

Injuries leading to amputation often occur in accidents involving vehicles, machinery or, for example, trees. Such accidents also often occur during work in, for example, the construction industry, the offshore industry, traditional industry or the forestry and agricultural industry.

There are many types of accidents that can lead to amputation, such as crush accident, fall accident, multiple trauma, and explosion accident.

Am I entitled to compensation after amputation?

Answer. An amputation is a serious physical intervention and can lead to high disability and major limitations in your ability to work.

You may be entitled to compensation after amputation:

If the injury happened at work, you are probably entitled to compensation for occupational injury.
If the damage occurred in traffic, you are probably entitled to compensation from the insurance company of the vehicle that injured you.
If the injury occurred during leisure time you are entitled to compensation under accident insurances or travel accident insurance if you had such insurance.
If the injury occurred in a boating accident, you can claim compensation under the boat's liability insurance, under the skipper's or boat owner's liability insurance, or directly from the skipper or boat owner.
If the injury occurred in a plane crash you are covered by mandatory accident insurance that all airlines must take out.
If the injury occurred due to violence, you may be entitled to compensation from the perpetrator, their liability insurance or from Office for Victim Compensation.
If the injury occurred during medical treatment, you may be entitled to compensation from Norwegian Patient Injury Compensation.

In most compensation cases following amputation, it is necessary to obtain a medical specialist certificate to determine the injured party's degree of medical disability.

Read more: Act on occupational injury insurance
Read more: Act on compensation for damages

What types of compensation am I entitled to?

You may be entitled to the following types of compensation after amputation:

How much can I receive in compensation?

This depends on the severity of the injury and the consequences it has for your ability to work, as well as the extent of your injury-related expenses. Your age also affects the amount of compensation.

If the injury occurred in an accident at work or in traffic, the compensation can often amount to several million kroner, but injuries that occur in other contexts can also entitle you to high compensation amounts.

Is there a disability table for amputation?

Yes. Disability table is the starting point for the assessment of what you are entitled to in terms of compensation after an amputation.

The disability table is a separate regulation called «Regulations on workers' compensation for occupational injuries» but is also used to determine the degree of medical disability in compensation settlements for injuries after amputation.

The Disability Table sets out the medical disability percentage for a number of diagnoses and provides the framework for the assessment of your medical disability to be determined by a medical specialist.

Can amputation be recognised as an occupational injury by NAV?

Yes, you can. An amputation can be recognised as an occupational injury by NAV. If you receive a decision from NAV that you have an «recognised occupational injury», you will automatically receive benefits in the NAV system.

Among other things, you can avoid paying a deductible for treatment by a doctor or physiotherapist by presenting the decision on «approved occupational injury».

As a general rule, you can also be reimbursed for expenses for medicines and special medical equipment. You may also be entitled to compensation from NAV.

Read more: How to apply for occupational injury compensation from NAV
Read more: How NAV assesses whether you have an occupational injury
Read also: How an occupational injury compensation case works

Do I need a lawyer?

Answer. You may be entitled to compensation after an amputation, but this is a complicated process both medically and legally. You should therefore not attempt to fight for compensation on your own.

We often see that clients who consult a lawyer achieve higher compensation than those who try to handle the compensation settlement on their own.

Do I have to pay for my lawyer myself?

Well, no. Usually not. If the injury occurred at work or in traffic, it is normal for the insurance company to cover your legal expenses in the compensation case. You can also have your legal expenses covered through various organisations. legal expenses insurance.

Why should I choose Advokatfirmaet Halvorsen & Co?

Over 30 years, our clients have received billions of kroner in compensation. Our lawyers are specialised with extensive experience, and assist clients all over Norway.

Advokatfirmaet Halvorsen & Co always offers a free consultation about your compensation case. Get in touch with us today.