Amputation FAQs

Colburn Law

Posted in Personal Injury,Worksite Injury on July 1, 2022

An amputation injury occurs when you lose a body part, typically an arm, leg, hand, foot, finger, or toe. The loss of a limb can be traumatic and have a significant impact on your life.

If you have experienced this type of injury, you may have a lot of questions about what to expect next. Below, find a few of the most frequently asked questions about amputation.

What Are the Common Causes of Amputation?

Amputations can occur as a result of trauma, illness, or a necessary medical procedure. For example, people with diabetes sometimes require amputation when their cells can no longer receive sufficient nutrients from the bloodstream. Amputation may also be necessary to prevent infection or illness from spreading.

Traumatic accidents may also lead to the amputation of a limb or cause such severe damage to a limb that amputation is necessary. Examples of accidents that may lead to amputation include the following:

• Car accidents
• Accidents involving heavy machinery
• Construction accidents
• Pedestrian collisions
• Motorcycle accidents
• Accidents involving defective products, like exploding vape pens

What Complications Can Arise from Amputations?

The loss of a limb can lead to certain complications, depending on factors like age, comorbidities, and the location of the amputation. Some of these complications may include the following:

• Pneumonia
• Slow healing of wounds
• Stomach pain
• Infections at the amputation site
• Heart attacks and cardiovascular problems
• Pain around the amputation site
• Phantom limb pain

What Is a Phantom Limb?

Many people who have undergone amputation experience a phenomenon known as phantom limb syndrome. This condition occurs when you experience pain, tingling, and other sensations in a limb that does not exist. In fact, approximately 80% to 100% of amputees experience phantom limb syndrome.

What Happens After Amputation Surgery?

When you go to the hospital for an amputation, you will likely receive surgery to either remove the limb or clean the amputation site. After the surgery, your care team will monitor your vital signs and ensure that the area is clean, dry, and free from symptoms of infections.

You may need to undergo routine physical examinations or take part in physical therapy or rehabilitation. You may also be fitted for a prosthetic; your medical team will work to help you design a well-fitting prosthetic while minimizing wound pain, bone pain, and nerve pain.

Can You Recover Compensation After Amputation?

If you suffer an amputation injury because of someone else’s actions, you may be eligible for a lawsuit or insurance claim against the at-fault party. Through your claim, you have the right to hold the at-fault party accountable for the losses that you suffered due to the injury.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you could claim the following damages in your amputation injury claim:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages during recovery
• Loss of future earnings
• Chronic pain
• Permanent disability
• Loss of quality of life
• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Disability accommodations

How Can a Washington Amputation Accident Lawyer Help Me?

If someone else was responsible for your amputation injury, you deserve justice. In these situations, a Washington amputation accident attorney can represent your claim and work diligently to recover the compensation that you deserve.

Your lawyer can represent you during negotiations, prepare your case for trial, and gather all the evidence necessary to prove your right to recovery. After you receive medical attention for your injury, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.