People experience amputation and loss of a limb for a variety of reasons. Amputation after an accident (e.g., a car accident) is known as traumatic amputation. While losing a limb is not as common as other injuries suffered by victims of accidents, amputations are catastrophic injuries because limb loss becomes a lifelong disability.
If you or your loved one lost a limb or body part due to someone else’s negligent, intentional, or wrongful conduct, the person or entity that caused you to experience amputation must be held liable for your lifelong medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of earning capacity, and other damages and losses associated with the loss of a limb or body part such as a hand, arm, foot, leg, finger, or toe.
Seek assistance from our Beverly Hills amputations lawyer at Titan Law Firm to discuss your particular situation and determine what compensation is available in your case. With offices in Beverly Hills, we serve injury victims throughout the state of California, including the greater Los Angeles area.
What Is Amputation?
Amputation refers to the loss of a limb or another body part due to a traumatic event or a surgical procedure. While must amputations occur due to surgery, some happen as a result of traumatic events, such as car crashes or workplace accidents.
When a victim’s body part is damaged too badly or detached from the body in an accident, surgery may be necessary to remove the damaged or detached part to keep an infection from spreading and save the victim’s life.
The detachment of a body part can be either partial or complete. In some cases, a completely severed limb can be reattached, though the victim may still experience loss of function after the reattachment. A victim can suffer severe complications after a complete or partial loss of a limb or body part, including infection, nerve damage, bleeding, and others.
An amputation injury can be a life-altering experience, which is why a victim may be able to seek compensation for their disability, financial losses, and emotional damages. According to the Amputee Coalition, about 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year.
Types of Amputations
There are different types of amputations. Medical experts divide amputations into two broad categories: Upper-limb amputations and lower-limb amputations. Lower limb loss is much more common than upper-limb amputations. Below, we will list some of the most common types of amputations affecting the lower limbs and upper limbs.
Lower-limb amputations, which involve the toes, feet, and legs, include:
| Foot amputation | Toe amputation |
| Knee disarticulation | Above-knee amputation |
| Ankle disarticulation | Hip disarticulation |
Upper-limb amputations include the following types:
| Elbow disarticulation | Hand amputation |
| Wrist disarticulation | Above-elbow amputation |
| Below-elbow amputation | Shoulder disarticulation |
| Finger amputation |
The loss of a limb or body part is a permanent and debilitating injury. Any amputation can take a toll on the victim physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Common Causes of Amputation Injuries
The loss of a limb and amputation are commonly caused by the following types of traumatic events:
| Car accidents | Motorcycle accidents |
| Bicycle accidents | Truck accidents |
| Construction accidents | Defective products accidents |
| Dog bites | Workplace accidents |
When a traumatic event results in an amputated limb or body part, the party whose negligence or wrongful conduct caused the incident should be held accountable.
What Damages Can You Recover in an Amputation Injury Case?
According to the Los Angeles Times citing the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Assn, the lifetime healthcare costs for someone who suffered a limb loss are approximately $500,000. However, in some cases, lifelong medical expenses can go over $1 million.If your limb has been amputated as a result of someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, consider speaking with an experienced attorney to estimate the value of your case. A skilled lawyer will review the details of your case to calculate all of your damages and losses. Often, victims of traumatic accidents whose limbs or body parts were amputated or severed can recover the following types of damages:
- Medical bills, including the cost of emergency care, surgery, hospital bills, the cost of prosthetic devices, and other expenses.
- The loss of income and earning capacity. Most people who suffer the loss of a limb lose their earning capacity, which is why a person whose limb was amputated can seek compensation for the loss of their ability to earn income.
- Pain and suffering and other emotional damages, including the loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and others. Non-economic damages can be hard to calculate, which is why you may need a skilled lawyer to assign a dollar value to these losses.
- Disfigurement and permanent disability. Amputation can lead to both disfigurement and permanent disability, which is why an amputee can obtain financial compensation for these damages.
- Exemplary damages. Under California Civil Code § 3294, an injured party can seek exemplary damages if the defendant’s conduct can be described as extremely reckless, fraudulent, malicious, or oppressive.
The medical bills and other expenses associated with amputations can continue for the rest of the amputee’s life. For this reason, a person who suffered an amputation injury may need to hire an experienced attorney to determine the settlement amount that would fairly compensate them for their past, current, and future damages.
Do You Need an Amputation Lawyer to Recover Compensation?
A person whose limb is amputated or severed in a traumatic event can face a lifetime of expenses, in addition to physical challenges and emotional hardships. If your amputation injury was the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you could obtain compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Keep in mind that insurance companies are not on your side because they are for-profit organizations that care about settling personal injury claims for as little as possible. That is why you need an amputation lawyer to represent your best interests and fight for a fair settlement offer.
Contact a Beverly Hills Amputations Lawyer
Amputation and the loss of a limb is a life-changing experience that has significant consequences. Amputation can affect many aspects of your life, including your ability to work, perform tasks of daily living, and enjoy your life.
If you lost a limb or body part because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in other forms of wrongful or unlawful conduct, you might be entitled to financial compensation. Contact our Beverly Hills amputations lawyer at Titan Law Firm to discuss your particular case.
We can help you understand your options for compensation and fight for maximum recovery in your case. Our attorneys represent amputation injury victims in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
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