An amputation injury is a catastrophic, life-altering event, seeing as it involves a body part being fully or partially severed. Such an injury most often leads to extensive expenses and a major blow to the finances and quality of life of both the injured person and their family members.
With that in mind, if you or a loved one has recently suffered an amputation injury, it is important to understand what to expect from the treatment process. Doing so can help you get an idea of the possible costs and benefits of working with an attorney to recover amputation injury compensation.
Understanding Amputation Injuries
The term “amputation” refers to the loss of a body part.
Most commonly, amputation injuries involve the loss of one of the following:
- Legs
- Arms
- Hands
- Feet
- Fingers
- Toes
When multiple body parts are lost, like both legs, it is referred to as a double amputation. A full amputation refers to the complete loss of all or part of a limb, and a partial amputation occurs when a smaller part of the body is removed to save a larger one. A finger, for instance, may need to be removed to save a patient’s hand.
Types of Accidents and Events That Lead to Amputation
Amputation injuries can be the outcome of many different types of accidents. What these all have in common, though, is their level of severity.
On that note, some of the most common types of accidents that result in amputation include the following:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
Amputation injuries generally occur in one of four ways. The first is when an accident directly causes amputation, such as a workplace accident in which a worker’s arm is completely severed by heavy machinery.
A second way involves an initial injury that leaves the body part so badly damaged that doctors must perform a surgical amputation to save the patient’s life. These amputations often occur because a limb is injured beyond the point of being saved, such as in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in which a motorcyclist’s leg is crushed by a truck.
Severe injuries bring a high risk of infection as well. In cases where an injured body part becomes so badly infected, doctors will likely have no option but to amputate before the infection spreads, potentially killing the patient.
One last possible source of amputation injuries is medical malpractice. Surgical procedures often bring the risk of serious infections like sepsis. When a medical procedure results in an infection so bad a limb must be amputated, medical negligence might be the cause of the injury.
While it’s possible for a minor injury to become infected so badly a limb must be amputated, such an outcome is relatively rare. More often, amputation is the result of a serious, traumatic injury that does significant damage.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Amputation Injuries
An amputation injury diagnosis typically occurs in the emergency room during the immediate aftermath of an accident. If a limb was amputated during the patient’s accident itself, immediate treatment involves treating the wound, preventing further blood loss, and trying to reduce the risk of infection.
In cases involving a badly injured body part, doctors will conduct testing through physical examination, lab work, and imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. If the doctor determines the limb cannot be saved, they’ll conduct an emergency surgery to perform the amputation.
In other cases, medical staff might initially believe the limb can be saved. In such a case, initial treatment would likely entail surgery to attempt to repair the damage. However, if the injury doesn’t respond well to treatment or a bad infection develops, doctors may eventually decide that amputation is unavoidable.
In any case, the patient will likely have a long road to recovery after an amputation. Doctors will need to carefully monitor the injury site, watching for complications or signs of infection. And even once the patient is released from the hospital, they may need to undergo physical therapy and be fitted for a prosthetic limb.
The Long-Term Impact of an Amputation Injury
Amputation injuries are a form of catastrophic injury, meaning it is one that has a severe, life-altering impact on the victim. Experiencing an amputation injury is, of course, extremely painful. But beyond that, an amputation can necessitate ongoing medical care and procedures in the months that follow the initial injury.
Amputation often leads to major changes in an individual’s abilities as well. It’s frequently impossible for an individual to return to work, and finding a new job may be a challenge. Occupational training may be necessary to find work in a new field.
Amputation may also have a significant impact on the ability to care for children and fulfill household responsibilities. It’s common for individuals to undergo rehabilitation training to learn techniques for moving around and managing household tasks with a missing limb.
And even if a victim is able to receive a prosthetic limb, adapting to life with one brings its own set of challenges. For one, these devices can be incredibly costly, and they’ll require ongoing maintenance. It also takes a considerable amount of time to learn to use one.
Perhaps most important, though, is the need to consider the emotional and psychological impact of an amputation. The loss of a limb is a profound change that can have a devastating effect on someone’s mental and emotional health.
Counseling is, therefore, often recommended after an amputation to ensure the injured person has adequate psychological support for navigating their new normal.
Common Amputation Injury Costs
Amputation injuries can be financially devastating.
Some of the most common injury costs include things such as:
- Ambulance bills
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries
- Follow-up medical care
- Physical and occupational therapies
- Counseling
- Prosthetic device costs
- Home renovations for accessibility
- Vehicle modifications
Additionally, the injured individual will miss work for the duration of their recovery period. And in many cases, they may not be able to return to their former profession. The burden of lost wages and benefits can make it difficult or impossible to keep up with the regular costs of living on top of their injury expenses.
Contact Our Fort Worth Amputation Injury Lawyers Today
You shouldn’t have to suffer financially after an amputation injury. The experienced amputation injury lawyers at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers are available to review your case and help you understand your options for recovering amputation injury compensation in Fort Worth, Texas. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
