Injuries such as the loss of limbs or the need for amputation can have a serious and life-long impact on the victim and their family. If these injuries occurred because of someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, the responsible parties should be held liable for the harm they inflicted.
Our legal team at Drake & Collopy P.C. has decades of experience handling many different personal injury cases and situations. We understand the personal and financial devastation that these types of catastrophic injuries can cause. Our team is dedicated to aggressively advocating for our clients and helping them achieve justice. Our ultimate goal is to ensure our clients receive the maximum amount of compensation for their injuries and losses.
Scenarios That Cause Loss of A Limb or Amputation
Body parts may be severed during an accident, or a doctor may decide to remove a limb if the damage is too severe. Some common causes of amputations include:
Car Accidents
A more serious car accident, like one that occurs at high speeds or that involves large trucks or trains, can result in the loss of limbs or serious injuries that may require amputation.
Surgical Errors
A surgical error may result in damage to a part of the body that then requires amputation. There are other types of medical negligence, too, like cancer misdiagnosis or the failure to provide proper treatment for certain conditions, such as diabetes, which can cause the loss of one or several limbs.
Workplace Accidents
The improper use or malfunction of equipment used on worksites may result in serious injuries and require amputation. The loss of limbs may take place in other industries and workplaces for several reasons, like a crushing accident caused by a falling object.
Nursing Home Neglect
If some conditions, such as bedsores, are not treated properly or in a timely manner, they can cause the loss of limbs due to severe infections.
Dog Bites or Attacks
If a dog or another animal attacks, it may result in a finger being severed or other injuries that may result in the loss of a limb.
The Impacts of Accidental Limb Loss or Amputation
Even in situations where a minor amputation occurs, it can impact the victim for the remainder of their life. Some of the damages suffered from a loss of a limb or amputation include:
- Medical treatment is required for any injuries and complications that arise from any surgeries.
- Pain and suffering incurred due to the injuries both in the months after the injury and for the rest of the victim’s life.
- Long-term physical therapy or rehabilitation includes exercises to help build balance and coordination after losing a limb. It will also be necessary for the individual to be trained in how to use wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
- The cost of prosthetic limbs and training, repair, and replacement related to the devices.
- The cost of any modifications that are needed for the victim’s vehicle or home to accommodate their reduced mobility due to the limb loss or amputation.
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity because of a victim’s temporary or permanent inability to work.
- Emotional and psychological injuries that may require long-term therapy.
- The inability to perform activities of daily living or participate in recreational activities previously enjoyed by the victim.
Possible Financial Recovery After an Amputation or Limb Loss Resulting from Negligence
If you lost a limb in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be able to recover compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. That compensation can include:
Economic Damages
The purpose of economic damages is to provide compensation for the monetary impact of your injury. Some examples of economic damages you may be able to recover include:
- All past and future medical costs related to the injury for treatment, surgeries, and therapy
- All past and future lost income due to the inability to work because of the injury
- Reduced lifetime earning capacity if you must change jobs, quit working completely, or if your work-life expectancy has been reduced
Non-Economic Damages
The purpose of non-economic damages is to provide compensation for your personal suffering and diminished quality of life. Some of the types of non-economic damages we will pursue on your behalf include:
- Pain and suffering, past and future
- Disfigurement due to permanent scarring
- Loss of a normal life, including the inability to perform tasks of daily living and to participate in your normal recreational activities
- Emotional and psychological injuries including depression and PTSD
Contact Our Chicago Amputation and Lost Limbs Lawyers
If your amputation or loss of limb injury was caused by the negligence or wrongful conduct of another party, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Our team of experienced Chicago amputation and lost limbs attorneys is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Our team will review your case and get started on building a strong case right away. We are your partner in recovery and will fight aggressively on your behalf.
