Amputation, also known as the loss of a limb, is more common than most people expect. Research from the Amputee Coalition shows that nearly 185,000 amputations happen annually in the United States. Amputation injuries come with significant impacts for victims.
By 2050, over 3.6 million people will live with limb loss due to the surgical amputation of a leg or an arm. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured and lost a limb due to a workplace accident, traffic accident, or another personal injury incident, you may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of an amputation injury lawyer in Plantation, Florida.
If you need assistance figuring out what’s next after a catastrophic injury like amputation, contact Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys immediately.
Types of Accidents Resulting in Amputations
Amputation is a total or partial limb loss. This traumatic and catastrophic injury can influence your life in numerous ways, such as personally and professionally. Many people who have lost a limb have difficulty adjusting to post-injury life.
These individuals may recover compensation by filing an amputation injury lawsuit. The three most common causes of amputations include construction site accidents, traffic accidents, and severe burns.
Amputations from construction accidents
Heavy machinery and power tools found in many construction sites are extremely dangerous. Using this equipment could lead to an amputation accident and injury. Further, amputation injuries can happen on construction sites because of falling. Construction workers often complete tasks at extreme heights on ladders or scaffolds. A victim may sustain serious limb injury beyond repair, requiring that limb to be amputated.
Amputations from motor vehicle accidents
Traffic accidents can also cause amputations, including bicycle, motorcycle, car, bus, and truck crashes. A natural amputation may occur due to the accident, but a victim’s limb may also be crushed in the accident, or something could fall on top of you to crush you, such as a motorcycle landing on top of an accident victim.
Amputations from catastrophic burns
Finally, severe burns may cause amputation injuries. While minor burns leave minimal consequences, a third or fourth-degree burn is much more complex. Third and fourth degree burns can affect tissues under the dermis.
In the most severe situations, fourth-degree burns affect the bone and muscle in these severe cases. If the burn has caused significant damage, amputation may be required in order to stop further damage in the limb area or the rest of the body.
Types of Amputation Injuries
Amputation will depend on the location of the injury and a doctor’s determination of when surgical intervention is required. Common types of amputation can include those affecting the fingers, hand, knee, arm, toe, foot, and even up to part of the thigh.
Traumatic and catastrophic crushing or other injuries may leave a victim with no other option than an amputation.
Amputation may also be required in order to prevent an infection from spreading through the limbs as well as to manage someone’s pain.
Amputations may also be required in cases involving neuroma, peripheral arterial disease, gangrene, frostbite, tumorous limbs, and diabetes. Serious trauma to the limb, like a blast or crush wound, may leave you with no other option than having it surgically removed.
The surgery for amputation carries its own risks and impacts for victims, too. Surgical complications may occur, causing the victim to go through additional treatments and pain. Complications such as infections may also delay healing of the amputation wound area.
Damages Available for an Amputation Injury in Florida
If you sustained an amputation or other injuries because of a preventable accident in Florida, you may be eligible to recover compensation. The type and value of compensation will vary based on your specific case, which is why hiring an amputation injury lawyer is extremely important.
Disfigurement or amputation injuries take a physical and emotional toll on the victim that cannot be cured entirely by compensation. However, compensation may be essential for allowing you to move forward with your life.
Damages in Florida are awarded to a victim when that victim can show that another person caused their injuries. Since Florida is a pure comparative fault state, you may still be eligible to recover damages even if you are 99% at fault for those injuries. Your lawyer can help you determine who is at fault in your accident and the best way to collect evidence related to your injuries.
There are non-economic and economic damages available to amputation injury victims for cases involving negligence. This includes current and future medical expenses such as surgery or prosthetics, property damage, lost wages, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, the funeral cost for a wrongful death, and emotional trauma. Adjustments to your living space to account for your amputated limb, such as wheelchair ramps or other changes, could also factor in your personal injury lawsuit.
After an Amputation Injury, Contact a Plantation, FL Lawyer
A catastrophic injury attorney plays an important role in helping you understand your rights and pulling together the evidence needed to file a lawsuit. Most people who suffer an amputation injury will have a significant change in their life as a result of adapting to this, and ensuring that someone is fighting for your current and future medical expenses can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys will guide you through each step of the process of fighting for compensation after an amputation injury. Contact us now to schedule your consultation.