An amputation injury can change a person’s life forever. Many who suffer traumatic amputations experience excruciating pain, physical limitations, career setbacks, and social difficulties. Some even have trouble living independently. Traumatic amputations can also require extensive and costly medical care, quickly draining savings and becoming severe debt.
If you suffered a traumatic amputation in North Carolina and someone else was at fault, you could be entitled to compensation for what they made you suffer. At Kreger Brodish LLP, our dedicated lawyers provide compassionate and effective representation to clients across North Carolina. Contact our firm today to learn more about your options in a free initial case review.
What Is a Traumatic Amputation?
An amputation is a physical injury involving the removal of a digit, limb, or another body part. Some amputations occur when illnesses, injuries, and other health conditions cause irreparable damage to body parts, prompting surgeons to remove them to prevent additional harm or death. A traumatic amputation occurs when a trauma event forcibly removes someone’s body part by slicing, twisting, pulling, crushing, or destroying it.
What Types of Accidents Cause Amputation?
Because it takes a lot of force to destroy or remove a part of the body, traumatic amputations typically occur due to catastrophic incidents, such as:
- Motor vehicle accidents — Blunt-force impacts with vehicle frames, sharp shards of glass, and other unforgiving surfaces can easily amputate body parts in a traffic collision. Reach out to our car accident lawyer, truck accident lawyer, or motorcycle accident lawyer for help.
- Workplace accidents — Workers in construction, transportation, and other labor-intensive industries are particularly vulnerable to traumatic amputations.
- Sports and recreation accidents — Athletes who engage in high-impact sports and recreational activities like snowboarding, ice hockey, and motocross are susceptible to traumatic amputations from sensitive equipment and crushing injuries.
- Dangerous product incidents — Dangerous products like defective automobiles, medical devices, or household appliances can cause traumatic amputations.
Common Types of Amputation Injuries
There are various types of amputation injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Partial hand amputations — Removal of all or part of the fingers
- Metacarpal amputations — Removal of the entire hand below the wrist
- Wrist disarticulations — Removal of the whole hand and the wrist
- Transradial amputations — Removal of the arm below the elbow
- Elbow disarticulations — Removal of the forearm at the elbow joint
- Transhumeral amputations— Removal of the component above the elbow
- Shoulder disarticulations — Removal of the arm and shoulder blade
- Partial foot amputations — Removal of one or more of the toes
- Ankle disarticulations — Removal of the entire foot below the ankle
- Transtibial amputations — Removal of the leg below the knee
- Transfemoral amputations — Removal of the leg above the knee
- Hip disarticulations — Removal of the entire portion below the hip joint
- Hemipelvectomies — Removal of the whole leg and part of the pelvis
Consequences of Amputation Trauma
Traumatic amputations have numerous life-changing consequences. In addition to immediate medical expenses for emergency care and lower quality of life, many amputees face long-term financial repercussions due to their injuries.
A study published by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that:
- During the two years after a traumatic amputation injury, the average cost of a patient’s medical care is over $90,000. This number includes emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and prosthetics.
- The projected lifetime cost of direct amputation-related healthcare expenses is between $345,000 and nearly $600,000. This cost can vary considerably depending on a patient’s age and prosthetic needs.
- The projected lifetime cost of all direct and indirect amputation-related healthcare expenses can be over $1 million, not including injury-related lost wages or lost earning potential.
Who Is Liable for a Traumatic Amputation Injury?
You could be entitled to compensation if you suffer a traumatic amputation injury due to another party’s negligent behavior. An experienced amputation lawyer can identify all potentially liable parties, which may include:
- A driver who causes a crash resulting in amputation injuries
- Another road user whose behavior contributes to a wreck that causes amputation injuries
- An employer, if the amputation injury occurs at work
- The owner or manager of a property where a visitor suffers an amputation
- The owner of a dangerous animal that attacks and causes an amputation
- The manufacturer of a defective product that contributes to an amputation injury
- Any person whose negligent or harmful actions contribute to the amputation
What Is the Statute of Limitations in North Carolina for an Amputation Lawsuit?
If you want to file a lawsuit to seek compensation, remember that North Carolina gives you three years from your injury to sue any at-fault parties. After the three-year deadline, the court will most likely dismiss your case. If you wait too long, you will lose your right to pursue compensation in civil court.
The three-year time limit is essential regardless of whether you intend to sue since your ability to bring a lawsuit is your most valuable leverage during settlement negotiations. A trusted amputation injury attorney can help you keep track of important deadlines and pursue maximum compensation.
How Can an Amputation Injury Lawyer Help?
The team at Kreger Brodish LLP can help you pursue justice and fair compensation for your traumatic amputation injury by:
- Conducting a thorough and independent investigation into the traumatic incident
- Explaining your rights and determining the potential value of your case
- Identifying all possible sources of compensation for your amputation injury
- Communicating with insurance representatives and other parties on your behalf
- Gathering medical records, incident reports, and other evidence for your case
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and medical experts for valuable supporting testimony
- Managing essential case documents, details, and deadlines on your behalf
- Filing case paperwork and negotiating aggressively to maximize your settlement
Contact the Durham Amputation Injury Attorneys at Kreger Brodish LLP for Help
If you suffered a traumatic amputation and someone else is to blame, contact the amputation attorneys at Kreger Brodish LLP for help. Our compassionate Durham personal injury lawyer can answer your legal questions and evaluate your case for free in an initial consultation session.
