Amputations are one of the most catastrophic consequences of an accident or medical negligence. In fact, nearly 45 per cent of amputations in the U.S. have resulted from accidental traumas involving motor vehicles, machinery, defective products or botched medical procedures. Having an amputation changes every aspect of a victim’s life. Even routine activities can become quite difficult. However, proper monetary compensation can help amputation victims receive the medical care they need to adjust to their new reality.
Long road to recovery
Recovery from a traumatic amputation injury can be lengthy and expensive. Your injury claim can include the following monetary compensation:
- Medical expenses – In addition to receiving reimbursement for past medical bills, you can be compensated for future medical treatment. These medical costs can include: emergency room treatment, surgeries, radiology and physiotherapy, rehabilitation and prescription medication costs. Sometimes amputation victims require cosmetic surgery or prosthetics which can also be incorporated into your compensation claim.
- Loss of wages – Injured victims need time off from work for recovery. Some people may never be able to return to work, while others can return in a reduced physical capacity. A lost wages claim allows you to recover past wages lost and the loss of capacity for future earnings.
- Pain and suffering – Phantom limb syndrome is a common condition during which victims experience in their mind pain, irritation and itching from the limb that was removed. Victims can receive compensation for this and other neurological conditions they may suffer including: depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, feelings of embarrassment and reduced self-esteem.
- Punitive damages – In cases where the actions are particularly egregious, victims may recover punitive damages.
Serious injuries require serious legal attention
If you or a loved one undergoes an amputation due to the negligence of someone else, it is important to hire a skilled attorney to representing you. With careful consideration of the circumstances of the accident and close attention to the specific details of the victim’s life prior to the accident, our attorneys can help you recover the all the possible damages for you. If you have any questions on this blog or need information on other personal injury queries, please call the Law offices of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath located in West Palm Beach at 1-800 4-RIGHTS (1-800- 474-4487) We welcome your call and look forward to helping you.