Legal Guidance After Loss of Limb
Around 2.1 million people in the United States are living with limb loss, according to the Amputee Coalition. That number is expected to double by 2050. Traumatic amputations are most often caused by motor vehicle accidents, followed by work-related accidents and accidents involving machinery. When someone’s body is crushed in a car crash, an industrial accident, or another type of incident, they could lose an arm or leg. In some incidents, limbs are amputated (severed) on impact.
There are also accidents where arteries and nerves are damaged to the point where amputation is necessary to save the victim’s life.
If you or someone you love has lost a limb and someone else was liable for the tragic injury, you may need to contact an Alexandria amputation lawyer. Curcio Law can help.
Our skillful Virginia litigators gather the necessary facts and expert evidence to secure proper payment for clients whose lives are forever changed because of a defendant’s negligence.
Types Of Accidents That Can Lead to the Loss of a Limb
People can lose a limb in several different kinds of accidents. We handle a full range of these cases, including those that arise from:
- Vehicle crashes — A large portion of lost limb cases are linked to auto accidents. With decades of combined experience representing victims in litigation and insurance claims, you can count on us for effective advocacy.
- Product failures — Tools and heavy machinery that do not perform as they should could lead to a crush injury or catastrophic cut that causes someone to lose their arm or leg. Our firm thoroughly investigates product liability cases to determine where the legal responsibility lies.
- Workplace accidents — Industrial jobs often put workers at risk, and if proper safety measures are not taken, an employee might be the victim of a dismemberment or an injury that compels doctors to amputate a limb.
When someone else is at fault for your injuries, a qualified Alexandria amputation lawyer like ours can initiate legal action and demand fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
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Recovering Damages Following an Amputating Injury
Losing a limb, whether due to a traumatic accident or medical negligence, is a life-altering event that can significantly affect the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of both you and your family.
If you or a loved one has lost a limb due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek various types of damages through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. These damages are meant to compensate for the losses and hardships associated with the injury and can include:
Medical Expenses
The immediate and ongoing medical care associated with an amputation can be enormously expensive.
These costs can often include:
- Emergency care immediately following your injury, including surgeries to remove the limb.
- Prosthetics and other adaptive gear to help you regain mobility and function.
- Physical therapy to help you recover and adapt to your life without a limb.
- Follow-up surgeries may be required for revisions or complications from the amputation.
- Recovery and rehabilitation costs, including occupational therapy.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
The loss of your limb may keep you from returning to your same type of work in your previous capacity or even keep you from working at all.
If your ability to maintain gainful employment or earn an income is impacted, you can seek:
- Lost wages for the time you were unable to work due to the injury.
- Loss of future earning capacity if your amputation affects your long-term ability to work. This can include changes in your career path or the need for retraining.
Pain and Suffering
The physical pain and emotional trauma associated with losing a limb are profound. Pain and suffering-related damages can compensate you for:
- Physical pain you endured during and after the accident.
- Mental anguish and emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if you lost limb prevents you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.
Loss of Consortium
Losing a limb can also affect personal relationships, especially between spouses. In some cases, your spouse may be able to claim damages for:
- Loss of companionship or emotional support.
- Loss of intimacy, as the injury may strain the physical relationship.
Home Modifications and Adaptive Equipment
In many cases, the loss of a limb requires changes to your home to accommodate mobility challenges.
These can include:
- Installing wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, or modifying bathrooms or kitchens.
- Customized vehicles that are required for transportation.
- Adaptive devices, like hand controls for driving, wheelchairs, scooters, or other assistive technology.
Psychological Counseling
The emotional impact of losing a limb can be understandably severe and long-lasting. Many amputees experience depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness.
You may be able to recover costs for:
- Psychological counseling or therapy that helps you cope with the emotional aftermath of losing a limb.
- Support group services and memberships which can be vital in adjusting to your life after an amputation.
Future Medical Costs
Amputation often requires ongoing medical needs and services, including:
- Replacement prosthetics as they wear out or need adjustments over time.
- Additional surgeries to address complications.
- Long-term care, depending on the severity of the amputations, and especially if the injury leads to secondary complications like infections or circulatory issues.
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How an Alexandria Amputation Lawyer Can Help You
If you have suffered a lost limb or some other form of catastrophic injury, the potential defendant or their insurance might reach out to you quickly, trying to negotiate a settlement. This can be a tempting offer, especially when dealing facing so many unexpected changes, along with the medical bills that accompany your treatment.
However, these are often low-ball offers that hope to play on your fears and uncertainty to save insurance companies money. Before signing or agreeing to anything, you should speak to a qualified Alexandria amputation lawyer to provide knowledgeable advice regarding the type of payment you should expect in a verdict or settlement.
We work with doctors, occupational therapists, and other experts on our team; we can present a detailed argument about the many ways in which losing an arm or a leg will affect you for years to come.
Curcio Law in Alexandria represents Virginians who have lost a limb in a car crash or another incident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Please contact us today to discuss your case in a free initial consultation.
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