Amputations

There are an estimated three million amputees in the United States. Amputation is defined as the severing of a body part. Some amputations, such as losing a fingertip in a work-related accident, can cause minor bleeding, discomfort and inconvenience. Other amputations, such as an arm or a leg, can lead to significant trauma, blood loss, shock, infection, and death.

An amputation injury usually results from a traumatic injury to an arm or a leg sustained in a work-related accident, motor vehicle accident, motorcycle accident, or vehicle rollover. Each year, more than 150,000 individuals face amputation due to catastrophic injuries suffered from the following:

• Auto Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Farm Equipment
• Amusement Park Rides
• Unsafe Workplaces
• Medical Malpractice
• Unsafe Products
• Power Tools
• Boating Accidents

What Are the Costs Associated With An Amputation?

Some amputees wear a prosthesis, or “artificial limb.” Prostheses can range in price from $8,000 to $70,000, depending upon the level of amputation. The average prosthesis must be replaced every few years. In addition to the severe physical and financial toll that an amputation causes, an amputation injury also often triggers a severe emotional reaction in the victim. Even those victims who have seemingly overcome an amputation injury often suffer from severe depression after their injuries.

Amputation of a limb may result in either a partial or a complete amputation. Partial amputation results in some limited functional use of the limb. With complete amputation, the entire limb is lost.

With partial or complete amputation, future medical care is important. This may include fitting of a prosthetic device. The prosthesis can be for cosmetic reasons or functional use. The amputee also needs psychological support to deal with the tragic loss of a limb. Phantom limb pain occurs in some cases because the brain continues to send signals to the amputated limb.

Side Effects of Amputation

Individuals suffering amputation injuries and requiring prosthetics endure many risks, including side effects from medical treatments, prescription drugs and other complications such as:

• Chronic Neuroma (pain/ tenderness at amputation area)
• Poor wound healing
• Infection
• Stiffness
• Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (chronic neurological syndrome causing  severe  burning pain, pathological changes to bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling and extreme sensitivity to touch)

Seeking Assistance from a Qualified Attorney

If you suffered an amputation injury, who would care for your daily needs? How would the bills get paid? How would you manage your family’s future? Of course, the short-term emotional and physical adjustments are only half of the story.

For amputees, life will never be the same.  The attorneys at The Yost Legal Group understand the long-term impact on you and your family.  The law permits monetary compensation for pain, suffering and economic losses against the responsible party. The first step to obtaining the compensation you deserve and will need to secure your future is contacting a qualified amputation injury law firm who understands the nature of your injury and how to pursue a claim on your behalf.