Free Consultation
770-626-7895Amputation is the partial or full removal of a limb and is often recommended due to chronic illness or traumatic injury. Research estimates that approximately 2.1 million people are living with the loss of one or more limbs and over 500 more lose a limb every day. This means that by the year 2050, approximately 3.6 million people will be missing one or more limbs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 5.8% of lower limb amputations are due to an injury from a car crash or work-related injury.
An amputation has a significant impact on the victim’s entire life. They must re-learn how to do even the most basic tasks of daily living. After amputation, they face a variety of physical and emotional challenges. In many cases, they may never be able to return to work or enjoy their favorite leisure activities.
If you were involved in an accident in or near Loganville, GA that resulted in amputation, you may need an amputation injury lawyer. Let Brady M. Larrison of Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney review your case to determine if you are eligible for compensation.
Types of Amputations
There are two primary types of amputations: traumatic and surgical. Traumatic amputations are due to unforeseen accidents such as a car crash, explosion, getting trapped under a large object, or workplace accidents. Surgical amputations are due to a medical issue that affects blood flow to the limb.
Types of Accidents Resulting in Amputation
If you are involved in an accident that results in an amputation, it’s important to contact an amputation injury lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.
The top three most common causes of traumatic amputation are:
- Car crashes
- Industrial accidents
- Agricultural accidents
In some cases, amputation may be due to medical malpractice.
Most workplace accidents are due to:
- Lack of PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Poor training
- Inadequate lighting
- Not following proper safety rules when working with machinery
- Falls from heights
How are amputation injuries treated?
In some cases, amputation accidents result in a clean amputation. However, most of the time, the limb is not fully removed and surgery is required to clean up the area, which often involves removing the part of the limb that remains.
The victim will be given general anesthesia and the surgeon will remove the damaged tissue, leaving behind as much healthy tissue as possible. Then, the remaining tissue is molded so a prosthetic can be fitted.
Many times, significant hospitalization is required following surgery to allow healing. This can be a long and tedious process, depending on the limb that is lost.
When should a limb be amputated?
If the limb does not have adequate blood flow or if it is damaged beyond repair, it may need to be amputated. Some of the most common reasons for amputation include:
- Severe injury from an accident
- Frostbite from industrial-related activities
- Gangrene/tissue death
Damages Available for an Amputation Injury in Georgia
An amputation injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for amputation accidents. Most often, the following damages will apply:
Medical expenses
The cost of immediate medical treatment is only the beginning. You will also likely face high healthcare costs well into your future. There have been many advancements in the medical field to restore amputees to some level of normalcy, such as prosthetics. These can be expensive and often require a lot of modifications and updates.
Experts estimate that the average out-of-pocket costs for amputation are around $90,000 for the first 2 years. In some cases, an amputation costs $500,000+ over a lifetime. A prosthesis often costs $40,000+. These costs can be included as damages in your accident claim.
Lost wages
Healing from limb loss can be slow and prevent you from working for a long time. In some cases, you may not be able to go back to work at all, especially if your job involves physical labor. This means significant financial loss, especially if you were the primary breadwinner for the family.
Pain and suffering
Finally, losing a limb due to someone else’s negligence can lead to significant physical and emotional pain. Losing a limb often means that you can no longer participate in activities you once loved. In addition, an accident can cause anxiety and depression.
How Can a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Help?
If you are involved in an accident, the other party’s insurance company will often try to settle as quickly as possible. The first offer is always the lowest; don’t settle, hire an injury attorney. A catastrophic injury attorney focuses in amputation accidents and can get you the compensation you deserve.
If you are in or near Loganville, GA, contact Brady M. Larrison, Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney. He is a trusted personal injury attorney that understands the impact of amputation injuries and the accidents that cause them. He has 12 years of experience as a plaintiff’s attorney in catastrophic injuries.
He will take the time to understand your accident, gathering all of the important information regarding liability, fault, and damages. Contact us to begin investigating your case.
