Permanent limitations or disabilities can sometimes occur in a person’s life following a catastrophic accident and injury. When a victim suffers the loss of a limb during an accident or because of surgical amputation, it can result in lifelong disability, need for rehab, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and psychological problems.
Financial stress because of the treatment costs, prosthetic costs, and lost wages, is also likely to occur. These problems only get compounded when the victim suffers other long-term medical complications owing to the amputation. It’s best to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney regarding the best course of action following an amputation.
Potential Medical Complications with Amputation Injuries
Limbs can be severed or torn off in severe accidents. Amputations are not always straight and clean as surgical amputations. First, the victim would still require surgery even if the limb is severed off completely during the accident. The physical disability in most cases could be permanent.
Moreover, it’s highly likely that the victim would suffer complications. Here are a few possible medical complications that can develop over time as a result of amputation injuries:
- Heart attack: The victim may suffer a heart attack as a result of the extreme trauma of losing a limb in an auto accident. This is a life-threatening condition as well.
- Deep vein thrombosis: There is a risk of blood clots because of being immobilized for a long period following the amputation. These blood clots may develop into pulmonary embolism in severe cases. This is characterized by a deadly blood clot in the lung.
- Infection: This can be an infection in the wound area or pneumonia
- Hematoma: The amputation site may become bruised with blood collecting under the skin
- Wound opening: This is because of infection or poor healing
- Necrosis: Necrosis or gangrene occurs when the cells responsible for sealing the amputation within skin flaps die
- Phantom limb pain: It’s possible for amputees to suffer pain at the stump or wound site as if they still have the limb attached. This can cause significant physical and emotional discomfort.
- Psychological concerns: Lifelong psychological issues can develop because of the loss of a limb. The victim may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the more severe cases. They may become extremely anxious and keep reliving the accident.
In general, amputee victims require expensive additional surgical procedures, physical therapy, medications, and psychological counseling. This makes it important that you seek compensation for your financial and emotional suffering.
Experienced and prolific personal injury attorneys can help you gather enough evidence to prepare a strong claim. You will be in a stronger position while negotiating with the insurance company if you have an attorney on your side. You should know that insurance companies don’t have your best interests at heart, and they pay millions of dollars in legal fees to pay the minimum possible amount as compensation.
Crushed Limbs
Limbs or fingers are no longer salvageable if they become damaged beyond a point. Certain accidents are so severe in nature that the limb may get pinned or crushed.
Loss of blood may result in the limb requiring necessary amputation. The risk of infection in some cases may be too great to avoid amputation of the affected limb. Gangrene, in particular, can quickly spread and pose a risk to life if not removed quickly.
Severed Limbs
Sharp metal objects in some cases may cause deep lacerations in a limb. In others, the limb may get completely severed. Bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream when a limb is lacerated in an auto accident. Infection spreading to the victim’s vital organs can result in sepsis. In severe cases, it may even cause death. The best use of antibiotics and medical treatment may not be able to prevent the spread of infection.
Treatment for Limb Amputation is Ongoing and Expensive
There are high medical costs associated with the loss of a limb. In addition to dealing with the emotional pain and suffering, you would also have to consider the following:
- Cost of amputation surgery and other additional procedures
- Cost of initial and replacement prosthetic
- Cost of pain medication
- Ongoing cost of physical therapy
- Mental health therapy
Get an Accomplished Personal Injury Attorney in Alabama on Your Side
Have you or a loved one suffered limb amputation as a result of an accident caused by another person? The compassionate legal team at Smith Law Firm is here to help you obtain compensation from the responsible party. To schedule your free initial consultation, call us at 334-377-1674 or fill out this online contact form.