Amputation Injury

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Amputation injuries are among the most life-altering types of injuries a person can experience. The loss of a body part like an arm or leg has a profound impact on the injured individual’s quality of life, earning ability, and emotional well-being. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that resulted in amputation, it’s important to understand your options. 

This type of injury has a significant impact on all areas of the injured individual’s life. Understanding the treatment costs and long-term impact is the first step in becoming informed about the reality of life after an amputation injury. 

Because you might have grounds for a personal injury claim, it’s advisable to consult an amputation injury lawyer about your compensation options as soon as possible.

Understanding Amputation Injuries

Amputation refers to the loss of a body part. 

Amputation injuries typically involve the loss of: 

• Arms
• Legs
• Hands
• Feet
• Fingers
• Toes

In some cases, amputation injuries may involve other body parts. For example, an ear amputation might be the outcome of a serious dog bite injury that involves trauma to the head, face, and ear. 

In some cases, medical professionals may opt to perform a partial amputation, such as amputating a part of the foot or hand. This is usually done in an attempt to save the rest of the injured limb. The loss of two body parts, such as both feet, is referred to as a double amputation.

Common Causes of Amputation Injuries

Accidents that lead to amputation injuries fall into two primary categories: those that directly cause amputation and those that injure the limb so badly that medical professionals must amputate it. 

When amputation occurs during an accident, the body part is usually severed by some other object. This is a common outcome in car accidents and workplace or construction accidents involving heavy machinery. 

Injuries that later lead to the need for amputation are also frequently caused by car crashes and workplace accidents, but many other types of accidents can also result in the need for amputation. 

In some cases, a body part might be so badly injured that medical staff must perform an amputation to stabilize the injured individual. Other times, the initial injury might not necessitate amputation. However, if the injured area becomes badly infected or is unable to heal, medical staff may need to amputate the limb. 

The decision to amputate is taken very seriously by medical professionals. Suppose a treatment team decides that amputation is a medical necessity after an accident. In that case, it’s nearly always an unavoidable course of action that is taken to save the injured individual’s life.  

Treatment Options Before and After Amputation

When amputation occurs during an accident, treatment involves immediate stabilization. Medical staff focus on stopping blood loss, stabilizing vital organ function, and reducing the risk of the injury site becoming infected. 

Before an amputation, medical professionals will typically explore all possible treatment options. Treatment depends on the type and location of the injury. Often, it involves surgery to repair blood vessels, nerves, and tissues. 

A treatment team first strives to restore function and circulation to the affected limb. However, there are limits to how much surgical intervention can achieve when a body part is badly injured. When treatment options are ineffective, or the injury site becomes badly infected, amputation is often the unavoidable outcome.

In some amputation cases, especially those involving the loss of a leg, medical staff might recommend an osseointegration. This is a medical procedure that involves implanting a piece of metal into the bone at the amputation site. This allows a prosthetic to connect to the metal, distributing the weight so the patient can use a prosthetic limb with less discomfort. 

Long-term treatment methods typically include physical therapy and pain management medications. Occupational or rehabilitation therapies may be necessary to help the injured individual eventually return to work. Because of the emotional impact an amputation can have, counseling or other forms of mental health support are often recommended after an amputation.

Amputation Injury Costs

Amputation injury costs can be extensive. Injured individuals and their families don’t often realize the sort of long-term expenses an amputation injury can bring. Getting help with these costs typically requires the assistance of an experienced amputation injury lawyer.

Medical Costs

Amputation injuries can have a life-altering impact on the injured person’s finances. Treatment costs for an amputation alone can reach tens of thousands of dollars. This doesn’t include hospital stays or the costs of prosthetics, therapy, or other necessary types of treatment. 

Some of the most common costs associated with an amputation injury include: 

• Amputation costs
• Additional surgery costs
• Imaging costs
• Medical stay costs
• Medical bills
• Medication costs
• Therapy costs
• Prosthetic costs
• Additional medical device costs

Amputation often leads to the need for costly home renovations to ensure the home itself — and areas like the kitchen and bathroom — are accessible. Over the course of a lifetime, the combined costs of medical care and medical devices can easily exceed six figures.

Loss of Earning Ability

The loss of earning ability is often one of the greatest financial effects of amputation injuries. Individuals are often unable to return to their previous careers due to the amputation. This loss of income can be devastating, especially for those who were the primary earners in their families. 

Retraining and rehabilitation may lead to the ability to find a different form of income. However, finding job opportunities that can be performed with a lost limb can be a challenge. Often, these jobs don’t pay as well as a former career. 

The financial strain of lost wages combined with medical expenses can take a serious toll on the quality of life and financial stability of the injured person and their family.

Call a Seattle Amputation Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered an amputation injury in Seattle, it’s important to consider your options. Amputation can have a lifelong impact on earning ability and standard of living. In addition to the initial treatment costs, it often leads to overwhelming medical device expenses. 

Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, is a Seattle personal injury firm with a long track record of helping injured clients recover the compensation they need. We’re available to discuss your case during a free consultation and help you understand your options for recovering amputation injury compensation. 

Time is limited for recovering personal injury compensation in Seattle. Don’t wait to get help with your amputation injury costs. Call Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at 206 727 4000 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation with a Seattle amputation injury attorney.