Amputations are catastrophic injuries with life-long consequences for victims. Although the loss of a limb can result from disease or infection, too often it is caused by a traumatic event, such as a catastrophic trucking accident, a motorcycle crash, and even elder abuse. In addition to the physical trauma, victims may suffer deep emotional scars and limited mobility, even if the limb is reattached.
Recovering after losing a limb can be extremely difficult, resulting in major changes in your life. Medical bills will pile up, careers will be affected, and you may need long-term care or assistance. If you have suffered amputation in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you should not have to pay for their negligence or carelessness. Contact the Longview personal injury attorneys at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP by calling (903) 230-5600 to secure a strong legal team to fight on your behalf.
What Are Types of Amputation?
When you imagine an amputation, you visualize a lost leg or arm, but they can also include fingers, toes, feet, hands, or any other part of a limb. Often, these injuries are characterized as partial or complete:
- Partial amputation occurs when some soft-tissue connection of the limb to the body remains. A partially severed limb or digit may be able to be reattached, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Complete amputation occurs when a body part is completely severed. It can sometimes be reattached if proper care is taken of the severed part and residual limb.
Bleeding, shock, and infection are severe complications of both complete and partial amputation. Also, reattachment may not bring back full mobility and use. These types of injuries are not to be taken lightly and at-fault parties should provide full compensation to ensure the victim has a viable chance at recovery.
What Causes Traumatic Amputations?
Amputations are often the result of intense trauma, either in the form of a severe laceration or a large amount of pressure. Some situations that may result in the loss of a limb include:
- Traffic collisions: Vehicle accidents can damage or sever a limb, depending on the nature of the collision. When struck by a car or truck at high speeds, motorcyclists and bike riders may be thrown across the road. The resulting damage may bend, break, or sever a finger, toe, or even an entire limb. Bends and breaks may seem less significant than a complete amputation, but if the limb is severely damaged it may need a medical amputation to avoid further damage to the rest of the body. Alternatively, a T-bone accident with a big rig may result in crush injuries that leave the affect limb completely unrecoverable.
- Oilfield accidents: As a result of the popularity of fracking through West Texas, the oil industry has experienced a highly profitable boom, especially in the Permian Basin. Tragically, these new wells come with their own host of risks. Heavy machinery, lack of supervision, and unskilled labor all lead to serious accidents, including amputations. Oil companies are required to maximize the safety of their workers, either by providing proper training or ensuring all equipment is safe to use. When they fail to do this, workers are put at risk for violent amputations.
- Medical neglect: When a patient is confined to a bed or wheelchair for a long period of time, they risk developing pressure sores. These damaged parts of the body can lead to dangerous infections and, in the most severe cases, the affected limb may need to be amputated. Often, these injuries are the result of neglect in nursing homes.
What Is the Recovery Process After Amputation?
The loss of a limb causes permanent disability that can significantly impact a person’s mobility, ability to work, and self-image. Rehabilitation after amputation begins after surgery, during the acute treatment phase, and more extensive rehabilitation is often needed once the injured person’s condition improves. A person recovering from amputation is likely to have extensive medical bills, physical impairments, disability, disfigurement, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. They may need prosthetics, medications, therapy, and modifications to their home and vehicle.
Quality Representation That You Deserve
It is critical to pursue the maximum compensation available if you have suffered amputation through the recklessness or negligence of another. Insurance companies will attempt to minimize a settlement to only cover the bare minimum of costs and rarely take in the long-term consequences of your injuries. But when you bring your case before Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, our Longview personal injury lawyers will take in all aspects of your case to ensure not a single cent is left out of your compensation.
We understand that your life has drastically changed as a result of the injury you suffered. We understand that you may feel angry, confused, and lost. That is why, when we take on a client, we shoulder all the legal burdens so you can focus on recovering. We will collect witness statements and accident reports, review your medical history, contact certified experts, and build a detailed case in order to secure proper compensation for your injuries. Contact us at (903) 230-5600 to learn how our legal team can provide empathetic and experienced legal representation.
