Orange County Amputation Injury Attorneys
When a Limb Is Lost Through Someone Else's Negligence
Amputation of a limb is among the most traumatic injuries an accident victim could suffer. Amputations don’t heal in the same way broken bones or mild burns heal. They leave permanent disfigurement. That can mean something minor like losing a pinky toe, to losing an entire leg. Sadly, amputations are often sustained in motor vehicle accidents and construction accidents. Meaning, they are often caused by someone else’s poor decisions.
Amputations take time to fully recover from. And even then, your life will never be the same. You will have to become accustomed to a whole new way of living. Daily tasks that once seemed easy, may now become difficult and frustrating. We at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have seen the fallout of such injuries, and know just how challenging they can be. That’s why we fight tooth and nail for our clients, doing our best to bring them the justice they so rightly deserve. If you or a loved one have suffered an amputation injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact us at (949) 752-7474 and find out how we can help you.
Facts About Limb Loss
Losing a limb isn’t as uncommon as most people may believe. In fact, nearly 2 million people are currently living with limb loss in the U.S., as reported by the Amputee Coalition. On top of that, approximately 185,000 new amputations occur every year. These amputations may occur because of accidents or due to being medically necessary. Either way, hospital costs associated with amputation were more than $8.3 billion in a single year. Amputation injuries actually account for approximately 1% of all trauma-related emergency room visits, as stated in a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
What Types of Injuries and Accidents Can Lead to Amputation?
Sadly, amputation injuries are easier to sustain than you may like to think. While they are not as common as broken bones or lacerations, they aren’t that rare either. Amputations are also often a medical necessity, in order to allow a wounded limb to heal, or to cut away a dying appendage before it impacts the rest of the body. When an amputation is required, it’s often true that little else can be done. However, amputations can also occur as a result of an accident. Some of the most common scenarios that can lead to an amputation injury are:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- As a result of serious burn injuries
- As a result of surgery to remove tumors in muscle and bone
- Construction and other workplace accidents
- Injuries caused by dangerous and defective products
What Are the Different Types of Amputation?
There are many different classifications and types of amputation injury. These types of wounds can impact many different parts of the body, and as such there has to be a way to properly classify them. No matter which kind of amputation injury you suffer, you are likely dealing with a great deal of pain and suffering. Losing any limb, even if it’s just part of a limb, is traumatic, and adjusting to the injury can be difficult.
In a general classification, traumatic amputations can be complete or partial. Complete amputations refer to the limb or digit being completely severed from the body. When partial amputation occurs, the amputated limb remains attached to the body by tissue or bone. With partial amputations it may be possible for medical professionals to reattach the damaged limb, as it has not been removed completely. That is not always possible, however, and the limb may ultimately need to be removed in order to allow the wound to fully heal.
Beyond just partial and complete, there are three main types of amputation injury. These types depend on how clean the injury is, and how the injury was inflicted onto the body.
Guillotine amputation has clean edges with minimal, localized damage to tissues, blood vessels, and nerves in the area of the injury. It may be performed as an emergency surgical amputation of a limb.
Avulsion amputation can be defined as the forcible tearing away of a body part by trauma or surgery. This type of injury can cause extensive damage to surrounding bone, soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.
Crush injuries are a common cause of traumatic amputation. They can occur when a limb is crushed under or between heavy objects or equipment. Crush amputation causes extensive damage to tissues around the wound. Often times there is no way to help the impacted limb, and so medical professionals will have to preform an amputation in order to allow the wound to heal.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover for Amputation Injuries?
Amputation injuries can lead to extensive damages. Medical expenses are likely to include hospital stays, surgeries, prosthetics, and ongoing treatment. After loss of a limb, you may not be able to return to your previous line of work. Depending on the circumstances of your individual case, damages you may be able to pursue in a Costa Mesa amputation injury claim may include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Prosthetics or medical aids
- Cost of caregiver assistance
- Lost wages or earnings
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Who Can Be Held Liable for Amputation Injuries?
If you have suffered amputation through someone else’s negligence, the at-fault party may be legally liable for your injuries. For example, if you or a loved one lost a limb in a car accident caused by a driver who was distracted or drug or alcohol-impaired, that driver and his or her insurance company may be responsible for your damages. If a defective power tool caused your amputation injuries, the manufacturer of the dangerous product may be held liable.
Our Orange County personal injury lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie can thoroughly investigate the accident or injury that caused your amputation to determine fault and liability. We have more than 40 years of experience and the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively pursue a claim for compensation on your behalf. Our firm offers a free initial consultation with no time limits or restrictions. Contact us at (949) 752-7474 if you or your loved one has suffered loss of a limb or digit through someone else’s negligence.
Additional Information
- Limb Loss | MedlinePlus
- Arm, Hand And Finger Replantation | American Society for Surgery of the Hand
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