Amputations are Catastrophic Injuries

 Posted on September 13, 2023 in Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury dramatically changes the life of a victim and those around them. The loss of an appendage, known as an amputation, certainly fits into the catastrophic injury category. People who suffer from an amputation may require help caring for themselves and might even need a new career or become unable to perform a job. If you had a limb amputated in or because of an accident, you have legal rights. An experienced Winnebago County amputation injury lawyer can help you protect and exercise them.  

Common Causes of Amputation Injuries

Nearly all types of incidences known for causing a severe injury can also be the potential cause of a catastrophic amputation injury. These include the following:

• Motor vehicle collisions
• Workplace accidents
• Premises liability matters
• Medical malpractice actions
• Defective products

Sometimes, the injury itself will cause an amputation. These are known as traumatic amputations. Other times, the damage to a limb will be so severe that the only option is to amputate the limb. 

For example, a semi-truck accident could crush another driver’s leg so severely that it cannot be repaired. The best option would be to amputate the limb above the injury. Whether the incident caused the amputation or caused the damage that necessitated it, injured victims who become amputees deserve full and fair compensation for their injuries. 

Financial Considerations for Amputation Injury Victims

Not only can an amputation give way to major changes in someone’s life, but it can also be highly costly throughout the rest of their life. The healthcare costs associated with amputation or reconstruction of a limb-threatening injury totaled:

• $81,316 for patients who had reconstruction surgeries
• $91,106 for patients who had an amputation

It is worth noting that the projected lifetime healthcare cost of $509,275 for those who had an amputation was three times higher than $163,282 for those treated with reconstruction.

In addition to medical expenses, some people who have suffered the loss of a limb face a disability. They might be unable to return to work or earn a living wage. 

After an Amputation: Treatment and Recovery 

Recovering from the loss of a limb is often a physical and emotional uphill battle. Initially, there may be concerns about infections, circulation, or having enough tissue to perform additional surgeries. Even once victims recover, they may require revision surgeries or updated prosthetics in the future. Treatment will involve ensuring maximum physical use of the limb as well as making it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. If the amputee receives a prosthetic, their medical team will need to ensure a proper fit. They may need multiple revision surgeries to ensure their prosthetic fits correctly. This process can take several months or even a year or more.

Call an Experienced Winnebago County, IL Amputation Injury Lawyer 

Not only do victims who have an amputation deal with physical challenges and disabilities, but they also deal with disfigurement. They deserve compensation not just for their financial losses like medical expenses and lost wages but also for their emotional pain and suffering. 

Start protecting your legal rights today with a no-obligation consultation with a Rockford amputation injury attorney. Contact Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law online or by phone at 815-215-7561 today.