Few injuries are as devastating as an amputation. We do not realize how much we rely on our extremities and limbs until they are gone. Amputation injuries can make it incredibly difficult to complete even the most basic daily activities and functions. Unfortunately, unexpected accidents in San Diego can result in devastating amputation injuries. If you’ve suffered the loss of a limb in an accident you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Injury Trial Lawyers, APC for immediate legal assistance.
Our legal team has over 22 years of experience handling complex personal injury matters. We know that an amputation injury can change your life forever and will aggressively pursue compensation from the at-fault party on your behalf. The money you recover may not bring your limb back, but it can be incredibly helpful during this difficult time in your life. Call Richard Morse today to schedule your free consultation to learn more.
What is an Amputation Injury?
Amputation refers to the complete or partial loss of a limb. Amputations are classified as “complete” when a limb is completely separated from the body and classified as “partial” when the limb remains connected by tissue, bone, or ligaments. There are two primary types of amputations: surgical and traumatic.
Surgical Amputation: Surgical amputation refers to the loss of a limb in a surgical procedure. These surgeries are generally done to protect the rest of the body from trauma, disease, or death of a limb. If you are involved in a traumatic San Diego accident, it is possible that you may need the surgical amputation of a limb once you are in the care of a hospital. If an injury to one of your limbs puts your life in jeopardy, doctors will advise the removal of the limb to protect you.
Traumatic Amputation: Traumatic amputation refers to the loss of a limb because of a traumatic incident. Rather than having your limb carefully amputated by an experienced medical professional, your limb is severed unexpectedly. Sudden and forceful accidents can result in traumatic amputation of a limb.
Amputation Injury Statistics
Amputations are much more common than most people expect. Today, there are more than 2 million Americans living with an amputation injury. While an increasing number of amputations are surgically performed because of disease, many lost limbs are also the result of devastating accidents. In fact, approximately 45 percent of all amputations are the consequence of a traumatic event or accident. Every year, nearly 30,000 accident-related amputations occur in the United States.
Statistics show that most accident-related amputation injuries involve the upper body. In fact, 69% of accident-related amputations will involve the arms and/or hands. The remaining 31% of these amputations will affect the legs and/or feet.
Causes of Amputation Injury
Amputation injuries generally occur when you are involved in a sudden and violent accident. In San Diego, amputations can result if you are involved in any of the following types of accidents.
Workplace Accidents: Workplace accidents are a leading cause of amputation injury. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 11,0000 reported non-fatal workplace amputations in 2015. The majority of workplace amputations are the result of working with heavy machinery and/or working from elevated locations. Workers in the manufacturing industry are most likely to suffer an amputation, with those employees accounting for 57 percent of all workplace amputations. Workers in the construction, transportation, warehousing, and oil and gas extraction industries are also highly susceptible to amputation injuries.
Car Accidents: Car accidents in San Diego can be incredibly violent and result in the devastating loss of a limb. Amputation injuries frequently result when a limb is crushed by the vehicle and damaged beyond repair, separated from the body by sharp metal, or destroyed by a crash-related burn.
Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are considerably more vulnerable to serious injury than other drivers on the road. While most accident-related amputation injuries will affect the upper body, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer a lower-body injury after their legs are crushed by the weight of the bike.
Defective Products: When products malfunction they can be incredibly dangerous to consumers. Amputation injuries resulting from defective products generally affect smaller extremities, such as the hands and fingers. However, dangerous products can pose a risk of more debilitating amputations, as well.
Medical Malpractice: Medical mistakes and negligence can also result in an amputation injury. This may happen if you are exposed to unsanitary conditions and develop a threatening infection, ultimately requiring the removal of your limb to protect your life. Amputations can also occur if medical professionals are negligent and either damage or accidentally remove a limb during a surgical procedure.
Have you recently lost a limb because of a San Diego accident? Contact Injury Trial Lawyers, APC to find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Consequences of an Amputation Injury
As if losing your limb is not bad enough, amputation injuries can also have other devastating consequences. If you suffer an amputation, you are also at risk of developing:
- Sepsis
- Infection
- Tissue death
- Internal injuries
- Significant blood loss, and
- Multiple amputations.
If you suffer a complete or partial amputation in a San Diego accident it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Your injury, left untreated for a significant period of time, could result in additional life-threatening consequences.
Damages Available to Amputation Injury Victims
Suffering the loss of a limb is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can endure. Amputations can have many different consequences, ranging from physical pain to emotional suffering. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation for any of your accident-related harms.
At Injury Trial Lawyers, APC, our attorneys will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf, including damages for:
- Hospitalization
- Corrective and plastic surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Prosthetics
- Nursing care
- Lost wages and disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Anxiety and depression
- PTSD
- Loss of sexual relations
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring, and
- Embarrassment.
Contact our San Diego amputation attorneys today to find out how we can help you after your traumatic accident. We will fight to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your life-changing amputation injury.
Statute of Limitations for Amputation Lawsuits
The damages you recover from a personal injury lawsuit can be instrumental in your physical, mental, and financial recoveries. However, you only have a short period of time in which you can file a lawsuit to recover compensation. In most cases, you will have two years from the date of your San Diego accident to file a claim for damages. You can be prohibited from getting the money you need and deserve if you do not file your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
There may be special circumstances that can cause the statute of limitations to be accelerated or extended. You can make sure that your claim is filed on time by contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your amputation accident. Call Injury Trial Lawyers, APC today for immediate legal assistance.
Speak with San Diego Amputation Injury Attorney Richard Morse Today
Have you suffered a complete or partial amputation because of a San Diego accident? You may be entitled to monetary compensation for your suffering. Contact Injury Trial Lawyers, APC to find out how we can maximize the settlement or award you receive.
Since 2004, our San Diego personal injury lawyers have been dedicated to helping victims recover the money they need after an accident. We have successfully handled thousands of complex personal injury matters and recovered millions in compensation for our clients. We know that an unexpected injury can be devastating, especially if it involves the loss of a limb, and will fight to hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligent actions. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.