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Judge Blocks £1 Million Payout After Ruling Amputation Was Voluntary

The decision leaves Aaron Haley limited to damages for his 2019 forklift injury rather than losses linked to his March 2024 surgery.

Overview

  • Judge Darren Walsh at Wakefield County Court concluded the below‑knee amputation was unnecessary on clinical grounds and amounted to a supervening act by the claimant.
  • Newcold Ltd accepted liability for the original workplace accident, and Haley remains entitled to damages for that injury, estimated at around £500,000 before any contributory reduction.
  • The court denied compensation for losses associated with the 2024 operation, which had increased the claim to more than £1 million.
  • Surveillance and activity records, including footage of Haley walking and evidence he played Airsoft, supported the finding that he was effectively functioning normally before the surgery.
  • The judgment made no finding on Haley’s motive for choosing amputation, and defence lawyers had asked for the procedure to be delayed shortly before it went ahead.