If you or someone you love has been injured and had to undergo the removal of a finger, arm, leg, or any body part, we at Trauma Law want you to know that we wish for your swift recovery. If your injury occurred because of someone else’s negligence, or if an insurance company denies your claims and the difficulties you’ve experienced, our personal injury attorneys are ready to ensure that those accountable provide the necessary help for your financial burdens and contribute to your long-term health.
Dealing with Amputation
Undergoing an amputation due to an accident is an exceedingly challenging experience. This can result from hazardous conditions while using heavy machinery or injuries sustained in explosions. Occasionally, following a major vehicle collision or an incident at work, a person’s limb might be so severely damaged that it can’t be repaired, necessitating its removal to avert further health complications. Medical professionals typically choose this route only in critical situations; if no alternatives exist to assist, it often occurs in the ER.
In the medical field, amputations are classified into two main groups: those related to upper limbs (arms and hands) and those concerning lower limbs (legs, feet, and toes). The latter group is further categorized based on which leg section is removed.
- Digital amputation: This surgical operation involves removing a person’s toes completely or partially, which may affect balance when standing or walking.
- Partial foot amputation: This surgery entails taking away a toe or toes along with parts of the metatarsal bones while still retaining some of the foot.
- Ankle disarticulation: The foot is removed below the ankle, keeping the ankle joint intact.
- Below-the-knee, or transtibial amputation: This surgery occurs just beneath the knee, allowing the patient to retain the knee joint.
- Knee disarticulation: In this procedure, the entire lower leg is removed, including the knee joint.
- Transfemoral amputation: This involves excising through the thigh bone, removing everything from that point down, while preserving hip functionality.
- Hip disarticulation: Involves extraction of the entire leg and thigh bone, with part of the hip joint sometimes preserved for improved sitting.
- Hemipelvectomy: This procedure removes the entire leg along with a section of the pelvis and is the least frequently performed type for lower limb amputations.
Amputation of the upper limb occurs more often than that of the lower limb and is categorized into various types:
- Partial hand amputation: Surgeons may need to remove fingertips or an entire finger, including the thumb, which complicates gripping and lifting objects.
- Metacarpal amputation: This procedure removes part or all of the hand while preserving the wrist.
- Wrist disarticulation involves removing the whole hand and the wrist joint.
- Transradial amputation: This procedure involves the removal of part of the arm, including the hand, wrist, and some forearm, while keeping the elbow intact.
- Elbow disarticulation: The amputation takes place at the elbow.
- Transhumeral amputation: This surgery is performed above the elbow but below the shoulder.
- Shoulder disarticulation: A less common procedure, this entails removing the entire arm along with the shoulder blade and collarbone.
Common Reasons for Amputations
Car accidents are often the primary cause of amputations not related to illness. However, various types of incidents can also necessitate the removal of limbs.
- Car Collisions – Severe vehicle accidents can inflict such critical damage on arms or legs that medical professionals must amputate. Motorcycle riders face greater risks due to less protective gear.
- Workplace Injuries – Large machinery can crush or sever a worker’s limb if safety precautions fail. Additionally, severe burns at work can be so extreme that the only option left is amputation.
- Property Accidents—When property owners neglect to maintain their premises, they create risks for visitors and residents alike. Poorly maintained stairs, elevators, or garage doors can cause serious injuries that might result in limb loss.
Compensation for Amputations in California
Losing a limb due to another person’s negligence affects every aspect of life. It can have physical, mental, and financial repercussions. Those who face amputation often struggle to resume their previous routines or work roles, which can lead to a decrease in income, impacting them and their families.
Determining the proper compensation for someone who has lost a limb involves careful consideration of several factors. A significant insurance payout might not suffice when faced with ongoing medical expenses and job loss. Important costs include:
Current and Anticipated Healthcare Expenses – Losing a limb usually results in the need for ongoing medical treatment, possibly for the rest of the person’s life.
Prosthetic Devices – While advancements in prosthetic limb design and customization have been made, obtaining one can still be quite expensive.
Rehabilitation After Amputation – Following the loss of a limb, an individual may require extensive physical therapy to relearn how to sit, stand, walk, or grasp objects.
Home Modifications for Accessibility – A person who has had an amputation might need renovations for easier mobility. Key spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens should be accessible. Installing ramps at entrances may be essential for outdoor access. Keep in mind that these changes can be costly.
Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential – Employers may adjust roles for injured employees, but many times they do not, particularly in manual labor sectors. This can lead to significant reductions in income. When movement is severely restricted due to amputation, it can result in lasting disability and a total inability to earn.
Psychological Support – The emotional toll of losing a limb is significant. Often, individuals will need mental health assistance for years to cope with this profound change.
Get Advice from a California Amputation Attorney Following an Accident
If you or someone close to you has lost a limb due to someone’s negligence, reach out to the experienced amputation lawyers at TraumaLaw for a complimentary consultation. Facing large corporations or insurance companies alone can be daunting during this difficult time. At Trauma Law, we strive to secure just settlements for those we represent, and we are ready to help you as well. Delaying could jeopardize your claim, so please feel free to call us soon at 559-490-1226 for a free consultation.
