The term ‘amputation’ refers to the severing of a limb as part of a planned surgery or in an accident. Partial amputations involve the removal of only part of a limb such as fingers or toes whereas total amputations imply the removal of the entire leg or arm. When an amputation injury in New York occurs due to the negligence of another person, you could have a strong case for damages. It is best to consult with a top-rated New York personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
The term ‘amputation’ refers to the severing of a limb as part of a planned surgery or in an accident. Partial amputations involve the removal of only part of a limb such as fingers or toes whereas total amputations imply the removal of the entire leg or arm. When an amputation injury in New York occurs due to the negligence of another person, you could have a strong case for damages. It is best to consult with a top-rated New York personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Every year, around 30,000 cases of traumatic amputation get reported in the United States. Close to 80% of victims of an amputation injury are men aged between 15 and 40 years. Most traumatic amputations result in partial or complete loss of an upper limb or one or more fingers.
This type of loss of a vital body part often has significant implications for the affected individual’s quality of life. Whether it is the requirement of physical therapy or the need for a prosthesis that needs due care, servicing, and replacement, an amputation turns out to be one of the most expensive types of injuries.
What are the Causes of Amputation Injuries in New York City?
Amputation injuries in New York may be sustained in different types of situations. Pedestrians and bicycle riders who do not have any form of protection are far more likely to suffer such injuries. Some of the common causes of amputation include the following:
- Being injured in a serious bus or truck or car accident especially the ones that involve T-bone or head-on collisions.
- Injuries sustained at the workplace due to faulty functioning of equipment or machinery
- Damage caused to a limb due to the defective working of an appliance at home
- Being hurt on a construction site
- Being amputated due to medical malpractice or negligence
Whatever the specific cause of your amputation injury, it is important to realize that these injuries cause a permanent disruption of your normal way of life. The medical and rehabilitation expenses along with a possible loss of current employees will take a huge toll on your financial resources and this makes it imperative for you to fight to get the compensation to which you are entitled under the law.
If you have been injured in a traumatic amputation injury, make sure you get in touch with an experienced amputation personal injury lawyer in NYC at the earliest. Your attorney can help you identify the party or parties at fault for your accident, and they will build a strong case against them in a way that maximizes the compensation you receive.
Workplace Accidents and Amputation Injuries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplaces in the manufacturing sector have the highest amputation injury rate in the US. Close to 57% of all such injuries occur in the manufacturing industry. Next on the list is the construction industry, closely followed by the agricultural sector.
Amputation injuries are very common in these workplaces and often occur in the following situations:
- The victim does not wear the appropriate protective gear.
- Untrained or inexperienced workers are allowed to operate heavy machines.
- Mechanisms to guard heavy machinery are absent or faulty.
- Operators around heavy machinery do not follow OSHA safety guidelines.
Amputation Injuries in Construction Accidents
If your amputation injury was caused by an accident at a construction site where you were working, you are entitled to certain benefits under New York law. To qualify for these, you should have been employed on the site and working on your job at the time when the accident took place. The compensation for injured workers includes payment of:
- Medical costs incurred
- Part of the worker’s wages that were lost due to the accident
- Vocational training and rehabilitation to re-enter the workforce or to build a new career
- Benefits for permanent disability caused by the accident
Amputation Injuries in the Elderly and Very Young Children
Most amputation injuries in the geriatric population occur when victims come into accidental contact with power tools. Food processors, lawnmowers, saws, and leaf blowers are often likely to cause such injuries when the equipment is not handled in the right manner.
In the very young, amputation is often the result of getting caught in a window or the door. These types of accidents result in the loss of fingers and can be a highly traumatic experience for the young child.
Besides these specific instances, victims of electrocution accidents, and those who get struck by moving or falling objects may also sustain amputation injuries. In rare cases, there have been reports of the accidental discharge of a firearm having caused amputation injuries.
What are the Consequences of an Amputation Injury?
The loss of a limb can disrupt your ability to function independently. You may need assistance with managing even the simplest of tasks of daily life. If you have lost a lower limb, your mobility can be severely restricted and you may need to use mobility equipment such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and scooters for outdoor movement.
Many victims of amputation injuries suffer from ‘phantom pain’ or pain sensation in the missing limb. The amputation site may also cause severe pain due to the damage of the tendons, ligaments, and nerves. This area may be more susceptible to get infected and this can lead to further health complications.
Besides, the disfigurement and disability can affect your ability to earn a living and put you at a great financial loss. Most victims of amputation injury are also likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders due to the emotional trauma they have suffered. They may often require emotional counseling and therapy to regain their confidence and overcome their stress responses to the trauma.
While your injury may be covered under the terms of your health insurance, there can be continuing costs for future treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, and assisted living. You may need to be fitted with a prosthetic that requires regular care and maintenance. Your living premises may need to be modified to accommodate any disability that you have suffered due to the accident.
All these expenses will not be covered by your insurance and they can drain you of a huge amount of money for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. With the help of a competent personal injury lawyer, you can recover damages from the liable party or parties to help you meet all your present and projected future expenses.
Life Care Plans to Deal with Amputation Injuries
Amputation injuries require diligent care. Besides the initial treatment cost for the medical procedures, there may be repeat consultations to care for the healing wound and these could go on for several months and even years after your accident.
The use of prosthetics can help amputation injury victims to regain at least part of their limb functions. These are likely to get worn out with time and will require servicing and replacement several times.
The home of an amputation injury victim is likely to require modification to make it easier for them to navigate around. They may also need mobility equipment to get around the house or outdoors.
Besides all these factors, there will be expenses associated with physical and occupational therapy to regain the functions of normal life and to get back into some form of gainful employment.
Dealing with all these expenses can be a daunting task and your personal injury attorney can help you with choosing an appropriate life care plan to help you plan your expenses.
Contact an Amputation Injury Attorney in NYC
Each amputation injury is different, and you need to find out if your particular injury entitles you to claim for damages. Whether you have suffered an amputation due to medical malpractice or due to being involved in an accident, having an experienced NYC personal injury attorney on your side can make a huge difference in the amount of compensation you can recover.
If you or a loved one has lost a limb due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, get in touch with our compassionate attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP. We know how devastating this loss can be and will utilize our long experience of dealing with such cases to make sure you get the maximum damages you rightfully deserve.
Our amputation injury lawyers can help you conduct a thorough investigation by an independent investigator who can reconstruct the events of the accident to establish the liability of the party at fault. We have an extensive network of financial and medical experts who can provide testimony regarding the economic and financial aspects of your injury.
Whether it is negotiating with the insurance adjusters to get you the highest amount in settlement, or pursuing your case aggressively in a court trial, our lawyers have the skill and experience necessary to ensure you the best outcomes. Once you decide to work with us, our legal team will get to work on your behalf, filing the necessary documents, interacting with experts and insurance adjusters, and representing you at hearings.
To know more about how we can help you, call Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP today at 212-344-1000 or contact us online for a free case review.
