Amputation is one of the most traumatic injuries a person can sustain. We rely on our extremities and limbs for many of our most basic life functions, and the sudden loss of a body part can be devastating. If you have sustained an amputation injury because of a Los Angeles accident you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Citywide Law Group to request a free consultation and learn more.
We have nearly two decades of legal experience handling a wide range of complex personal injury matters. During this time, we have helped thousands of injured clients recover millions in life-changing damages. If you have had suffered an amputation injury in Los Angeles, we can help you get the money you deserve, as well.
What is an Amputation Injury?
An amputation occurs when all or part of a limb or extremity is severed from your body. An amputation can be done surgically or can be the result of a traumatic event. Accident-related amputations may be a direct result of the accident or necessary for medical reasons if an injury is severe.
Amputation injuries are categorized as either partial or complete:
Partial Amputation: Your limb or extremity is severed from your body, but remains minimally attached by ligaments, tendons, muscle, or soft tissue.
Complete Amputation: Your limb or extremity is completely severed from the rest of your body.
Amputations can be as minor as losing part of a finger or as severe as losing an entire limb. Partial or complete simply refers to whether or not the extremity remains attached to the body in some way.
Amputation Injury Statistics
Each year, approximately 185,000 amputations occur across the United States. In fact, one out of every 200 people is believed to have suffered an amputation injury of some kind. Research shows that nearly half (45%) of these amputations are the result of a traumatic injury. Most traumatic amputation injuries (approximately 70 percent) affect an upper-body limb such as the fingers, hands, and arms. Lower-limb amputations are much more common in non-traumatic, surgical settings.
Workplace Amputations
Amputation injuries in the workplace are a growing concern in the United States. In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 11,060 reported non-fatal workplace amputations in the country. Most of these amputation injuries were the result of working with heavy machinery. Amputations can occur when limbs become severed and/or crushed when using these machines. Many workplace amputations could be avoided if employers had proper safety protocols and measures in place to protect employees from workplace hazards.
Industries most affected by traumatic amputation injuries include:
- Manufacturing (57 percent of all amputations reported)
- Construction
- Transportation
- Warehousing, and
- Oil and gas extraction.
Consequences of Amputation
Amputation injuries can be devastating simply because you lose a significant part of your body. However, amputations can also result in life-threatening complications. These complications, if left untreated, can pose a serious threat to your health, safety, and future. Complications of traumatic amputation injuries include:
- Infection
- Significant blood loss
- Sepsis
- Tissue death, and
- Multiple amputations.
Causes of Amputation Injuries
Amputations can occur whenever the body is exposed to a sudden and violent trauma. Many time, these experiences are the result of an unexpected accident. Frequently cited causes of traumatic amputation injuries include:
- Workplace accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Agricultural accidents
- Defective product accidents
- Construction accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Firearms and explosives accidents, and
- Ring friction accidents (your finger is amputated when your ring becomes stuck on an object, but your hand continues to move away).
When Can I File an Amputation Injury Accident Lawsuit?
If you have sustained an amputation injury because of a Los Angeles accident you may be entitled to monetary damages. In California, you have a limited amount of time to file your claim. The statute of limitations for bodily injury cases is two years from the date of your accident. If you do not file a claim before the statute of limitations runs, you will be prevented from recovering the money you need and deserve.
Contact the amputation injury attorneys at Citywide Law Group immediately after your injury to make sure that your legal claim is filed on time.
Damages for Amputation Injuries
Amputation injuries can change your life forever. When they are not fatal, amputation injuries can seriously impair your ability to work and carry on a normal life. You may have to make significant changes in how you do things that you once took for granted. You may even lose the ability to enjoy activities with your loved ones, such as throwing a ball with your grandkids or teaching your loved ones how to cook. California allows amputation accident victims to recover monetary damages if another person is responsible for their injury.
Damages can be incredibly helpful as you fight to recover from your injury and adjust to your new life:
Medical Bills: Amputation injuries will require extensive hospitalization, multiple corrective surgeries, and possibly plastic surgical treatments. These medical procedures are extremely expensive. Economic damages can be recovered to pay for these (and other) medical bills that are generated because of your unexpected injury.
Rehabilitation: If your amputation changes the way you walk, run, or move, rehab may be required to help you get moving. The costs associated with rehab (physical, occupational, etc.) can be recovered from a personal injury lawsuit.
Medication: Losing a limb is one of the most traumatic and painful injuries a person can experience. Prescription medication may be required to help you cope with your pain. In some cases, you may need to take some sort of medication to deal with the pain for the rest of your life. Medication, which can be very expensive, can be covered by the economic damages you are awarded.
Transportation: Do you need to travel to a specialist for treatment? Economic damages can cover the cost of your transportation and lodging, when necessary.
Lost wages: Your amputation injury may force you to miss time at work. Damages can be recovered to compensate you for any lost wages you suffer because of your injury.
Disability: Your amputation injury may also prevent you from doing your job in the same capacity in the future. Your attorney will calculate your reduced earning capacity and demand that the at-fault party compensate you for your new disability.
Depression and Anxiety: Losing a limb can be one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. While depression and anxiety may not have direct financial costs, these injuries can still be devastating. Non-economic damages can be awarded to compensate for your emotional distress and suffering.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you are no longer able to enjoy the things you once could, non-economic damages can be awarded to help make up for this loss.
Experienced Los Angeles Amputation Injury Attorneys
Have you suffered an amputation because of a Los Angeles accident? Contact Citywide Law Group today to learn about how we can help you get the money you need and deserve. Our Los Angeles amputation injury attorneys have more than 17 years of experience handling complex personal injury claims. During this time, we have recovered millions in compensation for our injured clients. We know how important a settlement or award can be after a serious accident, and fight to make sure our clients get what they deserve. Call us today to request a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.
© 2023 Citywide Law Group. All rights reserved.