Amputations

Out of all the types of injuries a person can possibly get in an accident, amputations are one of the most deeply traumatic.

The loss of a limb profoundly changes your life in a multitude of ways, both physically and emotionally — especially when the cause of your accident could have been avoided. 

What is a traumatic amputation?

Amputations can occur for many different reasons and not all of them involve accidents. Many people lose limbs because of health conditions like diabetes or vascular diseases, or to remove infections or tumors in bones and muscles. When an amputation is the result of an accident rather than a medical condition, it’s known as a traumatic amputation.

Causes of traumatic amputations

Some types of accidents that can cause traumatic amputations include:

• Traffic accidents of all kinds, including pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and car accidents
• Workplace and construction site accidents
• Accidents involving firearms or explosives
• Accidents with agricultural equipment, including lawn mowers
• Ring avulsion injuries
• Electrocutions
• Accidents involving doors on cars and buildings
• Power tool/heavy equipment accidents

Among amputations caused by workplace accidents, OSHA has found that amputations most frequently occur with unguarded/inadequately safeguarded operation of the following types of machinery:

• Mechanical power presses
• Power press brakes
• Printing presses
• Food slicers and meat grinders
• Roll-forming and roll-bending machines
• Powered and non-powered conveyors
• Drill presses
• Milling machines
• Trash compactors
• Power and non-powered hand tools

When people work with stationary machines as part of their jobs, they can also face a risk of amputation while setting  up and maintaining the machines by doing things like threading, adjusting, cleaning, or lubricating the machine, or trying to clear jams in the machine. 

Common types of traumatic amputations

Approximately 70% of all traumatic amputation cases involve upper limbs, with the most common type of traumatic amputation being a partial hand amputation involving the loss of at least one finger. Losing one arm is the second most common type of traumatic amputation. About 10% of all upper body amputations are of the wrist and hand. 

Amputation complications

Learning how to cope with life after the loss of a limb is difficult enough, but many people also experience complications as a result of their amputation that make matters even harder. An amputation can result in complications like infections, bleeding, and phantom limb pain. Not all long-term effects of amputations are necessarily physical, either. Very often, people who have lost limbs in accidents need psychiatric counseling to help them deal with the lasting trauma of their accident.

Damages in an amputation claim

Losing a limb in an accident is a deeply life altering event and it’s hard to put a dollar value on the true extent of that loss. When making a claim for an amputation injury, some types of damages you can collect for include: 

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced earning abilities
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Prosthetics
• Emotional anguish
• Home and vehicle modifications
• Job training for a new career
• Disfigurement
• Loss of quality of life

Contact a Los Angeles amputation attorney

Dealing with the loss of a limb is upsetting enough. The last thing you need is to deal with insurance companies who will try to diminish the true extent of your injuries. You need a skilled amputation attorney who can fight to protect your rights and prevent others from taking advantage of you. At The Wallace Firm, our amputation attorneys are ready to do what’s right for you. We have a track record of success helping accident victims just like you. Contact us today for help with your claim.