Amputation Injury Lawyer

amputation

Philadelphia Amputation Lawyer

Traumatic amputation usually occurs at the scene of an accident or crash. Accidents involving motor vehicles, farm machinery, power tools, and industrial machinery are all leading causes of traumatic amputations in Pennsylvania.

Amputation accidents are often caused by products that are poorly designed, lack adequate built-in safety features, or fail to operate properly. Sometimes amputation occurs during the accident, while other times a limb is so severely damaged during the accident that amputation becomes necessary later on. In either case, the loss of a limb changes your life forever, and no prosthesis can ever take its place.

After losing a limb, amputees often require extensive medical care, training, prosthetic limbs, psychological counseling, and ongoing financial support. Our catastrophic injury lawyers at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C., consider all of these past and future needs when they investigate an amputation case.

An accident that causes an amputation injury is often complex and requires a costly, in-depth investigation. Our firm has the time, staff, and resources necessary to secure the best possible outcome for your injury case. In one construction accident case, our lawyers obtained a total settlement of over $5 million from multiple defendants for a traumatic amputation victim.

To find out what we can do for you contact our Philadelphia office today for a free claim review and advice about your best legal options.

Compensation After a Traumatic Amputation

If your traumatic amputation was caused by someone else’s wrongdoing, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against that individual or company in order to pursue compensation for your losses.

While the amount of compensation that a personal injury plaintiff can recover varies depending on the facts of their specific case, amputation victims in Pennsylvania are often awarded damages (compensation) for the following types of losses:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost income (both past and future)
  • Medical expenses related to the amputation and recovery
  • The cost of obtaining a prosthesis and learning how to use it
  • Physical therapy bills
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium

Common Causes of Limb Loss

Almost any accident can cause injuries severe enough to necessitate an amputation after the fact. However, traumatic amputations occur when an object impacts or pinch a limb with enough force to sever it partially or completely.

The most common kinds of accidents that result in amputation injuries include:

  • Explosions and industrial accidents
  • Defective product accidents
  • Other workplace accidents

In any catastrophic accident, a severe laceration can be sustained that causes enough damage to require an amputation. Additionally, crush injuries and burn injuries also commonly lead to amputations. However, medical advancements are slowly causing the number of these types of amputations to decrease.

While nearly half of all amputations in the U.S. result from trauma caused by catastrophic accidents, you may be surprised to learn that the leading cause of amputations is actually complications due to vascular diseases. While this kind of procedure is sometimes necessary for the overall health of a patient, if medical malpractice led to your amputation you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

How an Amputation Injury Can Affect Your Life

Even a seemingly minor amputation, such as the loss of a fingertip or toe, can have a major impact on your life. Amputation injuries can take months or longer to heal, and even then, you will have to adapt to life without your extremity.

There is the obvious financial impact of an amputation – including expenses for medical bills, physical therapy, prostheses, and other needs – as well as the unknown impact that the amputation will have on your ability to work in the future.

An amputation injury can also affect you in ways you perhaps have not considered. Many people who have suffered the loss of a limb complain of “phantom pain” in the limb that is no longer attached to their body. In some cases, the additional stress put on the surviving limb can weaken it, adding to the difficulties you may face. Depending on the location of your injury, you may need assistance with day-to-day needs like personal washing and grooming.

In handling a case involving the loss of a limb, our personal injury lawyers consider all of these factors. We will carefully analyze your situation to determine the many ways this injury has impacted your life, and we will seek appropriate compensation. We have a proven record of success in obtaining results for people who have suffered serious and debilitating personal injuries and we would be happy to help you.

Time Limit on Amputation Injury Claims in Pennsylvania

Anyone interested in filing a personal injury lawsuit following an amputation must act quickly, as these claims can only be brought within a limited timeframe.

Each state imposes time limits, or statutes of limitations (SOL), that prohibit certain types of civil lawsuits from being filed after a prescribed period of time has passed. Here in Pennsylvania, we have a statute of limitations that requires most personal injury actions to be filed within two years.

In other words, if you would like to file an amputation injury claim in Pennsylvania, then you must file your claim within two years of the date on which you were injured, or else risk having your claim barred from being heard by the court. There are some very limited exceptions to the statute of limitations. No matter when your amputation injury occurred, it is important that you consult with a local limb loss lawyer without delay.

How Can a Limb Loss Lawyer Help You?

Not only can a limb loss lawyer help ensure that your personal injury claim is filed before the deadline expires, but they can also safeguard your legal rights throughout the entire claims process.

An experienced amputation lawyer can do this by:

  • Listening to the facts of your case and determining if you have a viable claim
  • Discussing your legal options with you
  • Gathering evidence and building your case
  • Calculating the full extent of your losses and aggressively pursuing every cent that you are legally entitled to recover
  • Filing your claim with the appropriate court
  • Entering into negotiation settlements on your behalf
  • Representing you in court, if necessary

Having an experienced lawyer in your corner can bring great peace of mind. Suffering through and recovering from a traumatic amputation is a lot to deal with. Let us deal with your legal battle while you focus on putting your life back together.

Speak with an Experienced Philadelphia Amputation Lawyer Today

If you have suffered an amputation due to someone else’s wrongdoing, we are here to help. Your life may never be the same after an amputation injury, however, we can help ensure you do not have to worry about the cost of your recovery and rehabilitation.

We offer free initial consultations. In addition, we handle cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay us nothing unless we get results for you. Contact us today to speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney.