An amputation injury is a serious event that can have a profound impact on your physical well-being, ability to continue in your job or hobbies, and often on your mental health. People can certainly live long, productive lives after an amputation, but you may also face some lifelong limitations and significant financial burdens as a result of your injury.
Frequent Causes of Amputation Injuries
Amputations often result from one of the following situations:
- Injuries in the workplace
- Auto, motorcycle, or trucking accidents
- Dangerous property conditions
- Defective products
Compensation You May Receive
If you’ve suffered an amputation injury, it’s important to consult with an amputation injury attorney to help determine if you may be able to receive compensation as a result of your injury. If another party caused your accident by, for example, driving recklessly or failing to provide a safe environment, you may be able to receive compensation for some of the following:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Lost wages and possible loss of future employment
- Physical complications as a result of the amputation, including nerve issues, pain in other joints that now bear additional physical stress, osteoarthritis, and degenerative diseases
- Expenses related to a prosthetic limb
- Mental health treatment
In addition, you may be rewarded non-economic damages for reasons such as pain and suffering or a reduced ability to enjoy life.
If your amputation injury occurred in your workplace, you may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The details of these benefits vary from state to state. They usually cover any accident or injury that occurs while you were on the job, regardless of who was at fault. You may have to undergo drug or alcohol testing to prove you weren’t under the influence at the time of the accident, and your claim may also be denied if you were violating the law or a company policy.
Workers’ compensation will often provide money for medical care, replacement income, and money for retraining. However, the amounts it pays are somewhat limited. For example, it won’t pay any money for pain and suffering. And if you collect workers’ compensation benefits, you forfeit your right to sue your employer.
An amputation injury attorney will be able to help you navigate the process and determine whether you should accept workers’ compensation benefits or whether you should sue your employer instead. It may also be possible to accept workers’ compensation benefits and file a lawsuit against a third party, such as the manufacturer of a piece of machinery that caused your amputation injury.
Get the Help You Need and Deserve
If you’ve suffered an amputation, contact an amputation injury attorney to help determine if you have a case against another person and/or company. You may face lifelong expenses and changes in your ability to work and enjoy life, and you may be entitled to a settlement or court judgment to help compensate you.