Amputation

A devastating accident has landed you in the hospital. You were riding your usual cycling route when a truck driver failed to yield the right-of-way, pushing you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Now, you are immobilized and heavily medicated, one leg in traction and the other sheared off just below the knee. You are facing weeks in the hospital and a long, painful recovery. Right now, you need more than medical care. You need the help of an amputation lawyer.

Amputation: Definition and Statistics

Amputation is the removal or loss of an extremity through trauma or surgery. Medically speaking, the loss of fingers, toes or part of your foot are minor amputations. Losing all or part of a leg or arm is a major amputation.

An amputation can be traumatic and instantaneous, or it can become medically necessary following a trauma. The causes of traumatic amputations include:

• Car accident
• Industrial machinery accident
• Construction site accident
• Agricultural accident
• Lawn mower accident
• Assault
• Firearms
• Explosives
• Fireworks

If somebody else is responsible for your injury, you should get in touch with an amputation lawyer as soon as possible. The liable person is legally responsible for compensating you for your costs. You do not have to suffer economically while you fight to regain your physical health.

The Financial Toll of Amputation?

In a single year, the hospital costs for U.S. amputations amount to billions of dollars, according to the Amputee Coalition, with around 185,000 Americans undergoing amputations annually. In one study of more than 500 victims of traumatic amputation, the average individual medical cost over the two years following the accident was approximately $91,000. The researchers estimated lifetime care costs associated with the amputation to be more that $5 million per patient. Even with health insurance, you would probably have to pay 10 to 20 percent of your medical expenses out of pocket. The following essential health care services are included in this average:

• Hospitalization directly following your accident
• Subsequent hospitalizations for amputation-related complications
• Rehab at an inpatient facility
• Follow-up doctor visits
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Prosthetic limb

When you add your lost wages, loss of earning potential, the cost of lifelong disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering, your actual financial toll from the accident increases exponentially.

The Compensation Available

If someone else is legally responsible for the accident that caused your amputation, you are entitled to financial compensation. An amputation lawyer will discuss your case with you to determine who is responsible and calculate your current and future damages. Your attorney will represent your interests in settlement negotiations with the liable person’s insurance company and advise you on whether a settlement offer is fair. If necessary, your legal advocate will argue for you in court to obtain just compensation for your injury.

Get Experienced Representation in California

At Rizio Lipinsky Heiting of California, we have a proven track record of ably representing our clients in personal injury matters, including amputation. We understand that you need to concentrate all your energy on recovering from this catastrophic injury, so we focus on protecting your economic interests by getting you the compensation you deserve. Getting started is as easy as completing the contact form on our website or calling 888-292-8888 to schedule a free consultation.