Amputation Injury

Charlotte Amputation Injury Lawyers

Fighting for compensation for North Carolina victims of loss of limb injuries

Serious accidents can result in catastrophic injuries like loss of limbs. These are injuries that can drastically alter the course of a person’s life. Amputations can be accidental (traumatic) or surgical. Either way, loss of limb is devastating.

You can’t undo your accident, but you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. If your injury was caused by the negligence of another, you could recover costs for medical bills, lost wages, job retraining, prosthetic devices, and rehabilitation. At Warren & Kallianos, PLLC, we have years of experience with personal injury claims like yours. Schedule a consultation with us today.

What You Should Know about Limb Loss

According to the Amputee Coalition, there are almost two million people living with loss of limb in the United States, and approximately 185,000 amputations occur each year. Typically, the type of amputation that occurs in an accident is traumatic amputation (unplanned and resulting from severe injury).

Traumatic amputation can involve any limb or extremity, including the arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, or ears.

Other statistics you should know about amputation and limb loss, courtesy of AdvancedAmputees.com:

  • Below-the-knee amputations are the most common.
  • Experts project the amputee population will increase to 3.6 million by the year 2050.
  • Amputations and limb loss cost American private & public insurance agencies $12 billion annually.

Accidents Resulting in Amputation or Loss of Limb

One of the leading causes of amputation in the United States, traumatic amputation is a life-changing and catastrophic injury. When facing an injury involving limb loss, victims can have massive medical bills, physical therapy, and loss of wages.

Here at our North Carolina law firm, we have handled loss of limb cases caused by the following types of accidents:

  • Car accidents. Car and truck accidents can result in life-altering and devastating injuries. Loss of limb injuries often happen during or after vehicle accidents when a person’s body part is crushed or trapped, amputated by sharp pieces, or surgically removed due to burns or severe injury.
  • Motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to serious injuries in vehicle accidents, due to the bike’s lack of protection. Amputation injuries from motorcycle crashes often tend to be lower-body injuries, as riders can easily have their legs or feet crushed by the heavy weight of the bike.
  • Workplace accidents. One of the leading causes of amputation injury is workplace accidents. Many of these accidents result from working with heavy machinery. Industries where loss of limb accidents tend to occur are warehouse, construction, oil and gas, and transportation. Your attorney can advise you as to whether workers’ compensation or a personal injury action is best suited for your situation.

We also handle loss of limb accidents from:

Accidents like these, plus others, can completely or partially sever fingers, toes, arms, or legs. Victims of amputations and limb loss may be unable to return to work for weeks, months, or can be permanently disabled. They can require extensive and painful medical care, as well as psychological counseling to deal with the “new normal.”

The Consequences of Losing a Limb

There are myriad physical and emotional effects that come along with losing a limb in an accident.

Physical complications can include:

  • “Phantom limb” pain, where patients may feel sensations and pain coming from the body part that’s been removed
  • Pain or discomfort from the nerves in the area where the limb was removed
  • Infection at the amputation site
  • Multiple surgeries

Emotional effects can include:

  • Anxiety related to the accident or events from the accident
  • Depression and dissatisfaction with life
  • Anger and frustration
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

Other consequences of amputation and limb loss can include:

  • Multiple hospital stays
  • Medical monitoring to avoid infection
  • Ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Prosthetics and artificial limbs that need periodic replacing
  • Vocational/job retraining

Rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy can be time-consuming and costly. Your personal injury lawyer can provide solid legal advice and help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Who Is Liable for My Amputation Accident in Charlotte?

Depending on the situation surrounding your accident, responsible and liable parties can include:

  • Employers. If your accident occurred at work, your employer or workers’ compensation may be responsible for taking care of your injuries.
  • Drivers and vehicle owners. This can be the case if you were injured in a car or truck accident.
  • Dog or animal owners. If you were bitten or attacked by a dog, the owner may be liable.
  • Construction companies. If you were injured on the job due to a company’s negligence, they may be liable for your losses.
  • Product manufacturers. When you’re injured due to a defective or malfunctioning product, you may act against the manufacturer.

How a Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Taking legal action against a negligent party does more than simply hold a negligent party responsible. When you’ve suffered a loss of limb or amputation injury, recovering compensation means you gain the resources to get the medical and physical support you need.

Our record of proven success demonstrates the time and commitment we will give to your case and to you. When we work with you, we bring in doctors and other professionals to determine the compensation you’re owed for your accident. This includes compensation for:

  • Surgeries
  • Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
  • Prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, and adaptive technologies
  • Home or vehicle modifications
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Job retraining
  • Disfigurement
  • Reduced quality of life

After a catastrophic accident like limb loss, insurance companies may assign a dollar figure to your physical injury – a certain amount for a loss of a toe or finger, a larger amount for a hand or foot, a certain amount for an arm or leg, and so on. Our job is to work for our clients to ensure they receive compensation not by a generic formula, but for the very real impact of their loss and their ability to work and enjoy day-to-day life.

North Carolina Amputation Injury Lawyers Providing Skilled Representation

Loss of limb and amputation injuries are among the most severe a person can suffer. When this type of injury happens due to another’s negligence, you may be due compensation for your losses. Our attorneys seek damages on your behalf and hold the guilty parties responsible. To schedule a free initial consultation at our office in Charlotte, please call 704-377-7777 or fill out our contact form.