What Type of Injury Requires Amputation?
Traumatic amputation involves the loss of a body part, often a hand, foot, arm, or leg, that occurs as the result of an accident or injury. In some cases of traumatic amputation, the limb is severed at the scene of an accident. In other cases, the limb is damaged so severely in an accident that surgical amputation is ultimately necessary.
A traumatic amputation can turn a person’s life upside down. In addition to extreme physical and psychological trauma, amputation victims may face extended time away from their jobs and may struggle to return to work in their previous capacity.
If a negligent party caused your injury that resulted in amputation, the Providence amputation injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. want to hear your story. We have extensive experience in these difficult matters and we are committed to helping our clients pursue the compensation they deserve for their physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Common Causes of Amputation Injuries
Car accidents are the leading cause of traumatic amputations, followed by industrial and agricultural accidents.
Workplace accidents are frequently the result of inadequate lighting, falls from heights, poor training, lack of personal protective equipment, and failure to follow safety protocols when working with dangerous machinery.
Traumatic amputations are most commonly caused by the following:
- Traffic accidents, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles
- Construction accidents
- Electrocution accidents
- Agricultural accidents, including lawnmower accidents
- Warehouse or factory accidents
Amputation of the Upper Limbs
Injuries that involve the upper limbs may involve one of the following types of amputation:
- Above-the-elbow amputation: This occurs when the arm is removed above the elbow.
- Elbow disarticulation: This occurs when the forearm is removed at the elbow.
- Transradial amputation: This occurs when the arm is removed below the elbow joint.
- Wrist disarticulation: This occurs when the entire wrist and hand are removed.
- Hand amputation: This occurs when the entire hand is removed up to the wrist.
Amputation of the Lower Limbs
Injuries that involve the lower limbs may involve one of these types of amputation:
- Hemipelvectomy: This occurs when the entire leg, as well as part of the pelvis, is removed.
- Hip disarticulation: This occurs when the leg is removed up to the hip joint.
- Transfemoral amputation: This occurs when the leg is removed above the knee.
- Below-the-knee, or transtibial, amputation: This occurs when the leg below the knee is removed, but the individual retains knee function.
- Ankle disarticulation: This occurs when the ankle and foot are removed.
- Partial foot amputation: This occurs when one or more toes are removed; this usually affects the ability to balance and walk.
What Are the Different Types of Amputation Injuries?
There are two primary types of amputation injuries:
Traumatic Amputation
This type of amputation occurs when an accident causes the loss of a limb. The limb may be reattached if the medical team is able to work quickly in some cases. However, if prompt medical action is unable to reattach the limb, the injured party will likely need to undergo surgery to address the injury. Traumatic amputations are generally caused by events such as car wrecks or machinery accidents.
Surgical Amputation
When an injured limb loses blood supply, it causes the cells within the limb’s tissue to die. This is referred to as necrosis. If necrosis occurs, reconstruction may be impossible. If an injury does not heal and necrosis sets in, amputation may be the only option.
Who Is Liable for My Amputation Injury?
If you lost a limb in a serious accident caused by someone’s negligence, you may be able to recover financial compensation from the at-fault party or parties. For example, if a driver caused a wreck that resulted in limb loss, the motorist will likely be held responsible for the injuries that he or she caused. Or, if a construction company failed to implement or enforce adequate safety protocols and a worker for a subcontractor suffered a traumatic amputation as a result, the company may be held liable for its negligence. Regardless of the cause, it is the responsibility of the victim to prove that the other party was negligent and that negligence caused his or her injury.
Proving fault can be extremely difficult when recovering from a catastrophic injury. Additionally, personal injury claims must be filed within the time constraints of the statute of limitations. If lawsuits are filed after the statute of limitations has passed, the claim will be dismissed. Therefore, if you suffered a traumatic amputation because of someone’s negligent actions, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced amputation injury lawyer with a proven record of success in these complex cases.
Call an Amputation Injury Lawyer in Providence
If you lost a limb due to another party’s reckless or careless actions, you deserve to be compensated for your extreme loss. The experienced amputation injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. can help. Our firm has a reputation for excellence in a range of highly complex cases. We understand the challenges you may be facing and we have the knowledge, skill, and resources necessary to seek the maximum compensation you need to move forward.
Contact Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. today online or at (401) 273-8330 to discuss your case for free. Our firm serves clients in Providence and other areas in Rhode Island.
