Amputation & Loss of Limb Lawyer

How Do Trauma & Negligence Cause Loss of Limbs?

Trauma is the second leading cause of amputations in the U.S., resulting in about 45% of limbs lost each year (vascular disease and cancer are the first and third top causes of amputations, respectively; source: Amputee Coalition). This trauma can occur in various ways, the most common of which are:

1. Motor vehicle accidents
2. Work accidents
3. Other incidents involving negligence

Here’s a closer look at how each of these events can cause amputations and serious psychological trauma, like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Loss of Limb from Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes cause more than half of all trauma-induced amputations (source: NCBI). In these crashes:

• About 93% of victims lose one limb.
• About 60% of amputations affect an upper limb.
• When crash victims are motorcyclists and pedestrians, nearly 90% of amputations involve a lower limb.

Tragically, most of these amputations and motor vehicle accidents involve the negligence of:

• Motorists: The careless, irresponsible, and preventable actions of drivers cause about 94% of all traffic crashes (source: NHTSA). Impairment, distraction, and fatigue are just a few ways motorist negligence can cause auto wrecks and the loss of limbs.
• Others: From vehicle manufacturers to motor carriers and the parties who build and maintain the roads, there can be various other parties who may be at fault for the car accidents that sever limbs and otherwise harm victims.

Amputations in Work Accidents

Machinery accidents are the second leading cause of trauma-related amputations (source: NCBI), and many of these occur in work settings. When that happens, factors like (but not limited to) the following can be at play:

• Failures to comply with state or federal safety regulations
• Failures to adequately train staff or provide essential safety equipment
• A lack of safety locks or guards on industrial equipment or heavy machinery
• Defective equipment or machinery malfunctions
• Third-party negligence

Here, it’s also important to know that machinery accidents are just one type of work incident that can result in the loss of limbs. Falls, crushing accidents, and explosions are a few other work accidents that also cause amputations and serious losses.

Other Traumatic Events That Can Cause Loss of Limbs

Beyond accidents at work or on the roads, other incidents that can rob people of their limbs can include (and are not limited to):

• Accidents caused by defective products: Dangerous consumer goods, like appliances or tools, can cause loss of limbs when manufacturers cut corners, bypass safety testing, or fail to provide critical safety warnings.
• Accidents at unsafe properties: From grocers and big box stores to libraries, schools, and other locations, any unsafe setting can give rise to the circumstances that cause the loss of limbs. For example, failures to secure merchandise or repair elevators could lead to crushing, entrapments, or falls that could sever limbs.
• Other events: Animal attacks and offshore accidents are just a couple of other events that can also result in the loss of limbs.

Amputation Statistics & Facts

Revealing more about the impacts and costs of amputations, here are some of the latest statistics on these injuries (sources: NCBI & Amputee Coalition):

• Currently, about 2 million Americans live without one or more limbs.
• Each year, there are roughly 185,000 amputations in the U.S.
• In 2010, hospitalization costs for amputees were about $8.3 billion. Today, adjusting for inflation, those costs are roughly $8.87 billion a year.
• After the loss of an upper limb, many patients can be discharged to their homes to recover; after the loss of a lower limb, most need to go to nursing treatment centers for more intensive therapies and care.

Who Can I Sue After I Lose a Limb in an Accident?

Negligent parties can be sued for the harm they cause. When that harm includes the loss of a limb, it’s important to iron out other key details to determine if you have a claim and exactly who you can sue when it’s time to recover. Those include (and are not limited to):

• Fault: How did the accident occur? How could the accident have been prevented? To answer these questions, it may be necessary to investigate the accident more deeply, ideally with the help of a catastrophic injury lawyer. Keep in mind that determining fault can uncover what type of claim(s) you may be eligible to pursue.
• Filing deadlines: When did you lose a limb and when did the accident happen? Depending on the claims, there could be different deadlines to pursue an amputation claim. If those deadlines pass, you could lose the options to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and/or a catastrophic injury case.

Consult an amputation attorney at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for a direct answer here. We can lay out the options for pursuing a loss of limb claim, and we can advocate your rights and fight for you going forward.

When Should I Talk to a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?

Talk to a lawyer ASAP. Even if you’re still getting medical treatment — or if you’re not sure exactly who’s to blame for your accident and injuries — you can speak to an attorney and get:

• Game-changing answers at zero cost: You don’t have to pay anything to speak with an attorney who can give you vital insights and advice about a potential claim. The sooner you get that information, the better. It can help you avoid mistakes, missed deadlines, and other oversights that could hurt your chances of a successful recovery.
• Experienced representation: An attorney can explain the process and your options both now and at every step going forward. As you recover from the loss of a limb, that guidance and support can be critical to staying on track for the best outcome possible to your case.

When you’re ready for professional insights and advocacy, all you have to do is reach out to a catastrophic injury lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.

What Compensation Can I Get from an Amputation Claim?

Any amputation comes with permanent losses and long-term medical needs. For many, it also means having to relearn how to live independently, earn a living, and deal with the psychological impacts. Consequently, many amputation claims include compensation for:

• Economic losses, such as hospital and doctor bills, as well as lost wages
• Non-economic losses, like mental anguish and the irreversible impacts to quality of life
• Past and future losses caused by the loss of a limb

After an amputation, you can’t expect insurance companies and others to offer you the compensation you may deserve. That’s why you need a lawyer who can advocate your rights and do what it takes to help you recover what you may deserve.

A Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Is Ready to Help You 24/7

After losing a limb, you could face an uphill battle trying to get the compensation you may be entitled to — but you don’t have to fight that battle alone. An experienced amputation and catastrophic injury lawyer at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can help you fight, stand up to any opponent, and win.

Known for excellence, integrity, and success, we are proud to offer the representation we would want in your shoes because we truly care about your recovery. That’s why we work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes to loss of limb claims. Discover the difference our team can make in your case and recovery by contacting us today.

Call 888-492-5532 or Email Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation. Your path to justice can start with a call or an email.