What Is it Called When You Lose a Limb in an Accident?

The trauma of an accident could require an amputation, either immediately or in the days afterwards. The Washington personal injury lawyers at Schauermann Thayer Injury Law can advocate and fight for you, as we have for countless clients since 1976. 

Losing a limb is one of the most difficult effects of a personal injury. Your damages can be considerable, as the life you had before the accident is no longer possible. Still, you would need to fight to get all the damages that you deserve.

Speak to a lawyer at Schauermann Thayer today to learn more about the legal process and whether you may qualify for a settlement check or award. Amputation cases can be complex, especially when it comes to proving damages, and you must have legal help. 

Accidents Can Mean the Loss of a Limb

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, traumatic accidents account for nearly half of amputations in the United States. Many of these accidents involve motor vehicles, but you can also be injured on the job or by defective products. The loss of a limb will change your life. Not only would you no longer be able to perform the physical activities that you once did, but you would also have to deal with a lifetime of emotional impacts. When you are able to prove that someone else was to blame for the accident that resulted in the amputation, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. 

How Accidents Can Lead to Amputations

You may lose a limb in a number of ways after an accident. In many cases, the limb itself is so damaged that doctors are forced to amputate it immediately after or in the days following the accident. These days, many accidents that would have resulted in amputation in the past are now leading to better outcomes. Multidisciplinary surgical teams now are able to perform quick yet extensive procedures and after-surgery care that gives patients a better chance of recovery. However, emergency medical treatment may not be enough to save the limb. 

Doctors must weigh the chances that you may be able to regain partial usage of the limb against the risk of infection. In some cases, doctors have no choice but to amputate in the days after the surgery after they weigh and consider your medical situation. Even if the original intention is to save the limb, reality may dictate another outcome. 

Causes of Amputations After Accidents

The trauma of the accidents, or the aftereffects, may result in the loss of a limb. Common causes of accident-related amputation include:

• Crush Syndrome: When an extremity is trapped and under severe pressure, there may be severe nerve damage. The pressure on the muscle can build, causing compartment syndrome and potential renal failure. 
• Vascular Damage: The damage to the veins can be so severe that blood can no longer flow to the limb. The resulting damage to the tissue may mean that the limb must be amputated.
• Lacerations: The extremity may suffer a severe laceration that either severs it completely, or damages it so badly that it cannot be saved. 
• Limbs Becoming Trapped: An extremity may become caught, and emergency personnel may need to amputate to free the accident victim. This type of amputation is relatively rare, and the patient’s life must be in extreme danger. 
• Infection: When there is dead or dying tissue, the limb can become gangrenous. The infection can become life-threatening, and the limb may need amputation.

 Factors That Affect Your Compensation for Amputations

Amputations can result in a significant settlement or award because of the numerous impacts that they will have on your life. When you lose a limb, the following may happen:

• You may be unable to perform your job (or even work again at all)
• You would be left with permanent disfigurement
• The loss of your limb could cause you embarrassment and humiliation
• You could experience anxiety and depression because of the loss of a limb

It is crucial that you know the full value of your claim or lawsuit before you file it. There is no such thing as an “average” settlement for an amputation. Everything depends on how you have been impacted by your injuries. The crucial thing is to hire a personal injury law firm as soon as possible after the accident, even when you are still dealing with a major medical situation. Your attorney would both investigate the accident and work with experts to estimate the value of your claim. Then, they would go to the mat for you when the insurance company drags their feet in paying you every dollar that you deserve. 

Contact a Washington Personal Injury Law Firm Today

When you need legal help after an accident, get in touch with the dedicated attorneys at Schauermann Thayer. We take care of the details, keeping you from having to handle them yourself. We recognize that you are already dealing with enough during this difficult time. You can schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers by calling us today at 360-818-2725. 

Sources:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/amputation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9339405/#b2-ms119_p0122 

https://www.lombardiandlombardi.com/blog/car-accidents-could-lead-to-amputations/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919827/