Amputation is the removal of an injured or deceased body part, either as a complication due to a medical condition, such as diabetes, or as a traumatic amputation due to a catastrophic injury.
Catastrophic Injuries and Loss of Limbs
In personal injury cases, amputation usually refers to the loss of a leg, arm, foot, or hand, and is usually the result of a traumatic accident. For instance, a person’s leg may be irreparably damaged or severed in a motorcycle or automobile collision.
Traumatic amputations can also occur due to defective products, pedestrian accidents, animal attack, or many other causes. Traumatic amputations create the immediate danger of death from blood loss.
In some cases of traumatic amputation, it is possible to reattach the severed body part if it has been properly preserved and medical intervention occurs quickly. Reattached limbs may not regain full function, however.
Surgical amputation for limbs that have been damaged beyond repair may take place at certain locations on the body; for instance, above or below the elbow, knee, wrist, or ankle. The nature of the amputation and where it occurs dictates whether a prosthesis can be used and how effective it will be.
Trauma-Related Amputation
People who have experienced an amputation will often suffer psychological injuries for years afterwards. Those who have had a limb or other body part amputated will also suffer severe physical pain for an extended period. One phenomenon that may occur is the “phantom limb syndrome,” in which the person will feel pain in the amputated limb, even though it is no longer there.
Accidents causing amputation not only create physical and psychological injuries, but may prevent or limit the ability of injured victims from participating in many enjoyable activities they enjoyed before (“loss of enjoyment of life”). While many amputees are still able to participate in sports and activities with accommodations, the adjustment is difficult and takes time.
Your Legal Rights
If you have suffered an amputation due to another person’s negligence, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you in your efforts to be compensated by the at-fault party. TorkLaw is experienced in handling amputation injuries due to auto accidents and defective products, and will aggressively pursue your case to ensure that you receive maximum monetary recovery for you injuries and your passengers’ injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages. Call us today.