Brief moments of chaos and horror are broken up by brief moments of unconsciousness. She is barely aware of the sound of grating metal as a hydraulic spreader is used to force open the twisted passenger-side door.
Someone asks if she is alright, but she is too weak to answer. Another wave of unconsciousness steals time from her. The next time she wakes, she is in the hospital. A dull thud runs down her left leg. She tries to wiggle her toes, but nothing moves under the covers. Before the panic can fully set in, a nurse rushes in and tells her not to move. She and her friend had been involved in a terrible drunk-driving accident. Her friend didn’t make it, and the way the other vehicle struck there had caused her left leg to get crushed within the body of the car. The damage was irreparable– and they had to amputate.
When accidents like this happen, it is devastating. The injured victims should not be the ones left to try and figure out how to put the pieces of their lives back together while struggling to overcome the new challenges of life without one of their limbs. The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. has helped thousands of individuals get the compensation they deserve after an accident to cover the oppressive cost of medical expenses and damages. Here is more information on our amputation injury attorney services.
Understanding Amputation Injuries and Their Impact
The National Limb Loss Information Center estimates that at least 30,000 traumatic amputations occur in the U.S. every year. A traumatic amputation is defined as an amputation (the loss of a limb, eye, hand, or other body part) that occurs as an outcome of a severe accidental injury.
The loss of a limb can be devastating to the injured individual. Not only will they have to readjust to life without that particular body part, but they will also face an impossible battle to overcome their anguish, mounting medical expenses, and lost wages. Many individuals who have experienced traumatic amputations face an altered sense of self and can take years to feel a sense of normalcy. The cost of a traumatic amputation is immeasurable. Additional effects of amputation include:
- Loss of mobility
- Loss of dexterity
- Stump pain
- Phantom limb pain
- Infection
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Body image issues
- Social isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
Hernandez Law Group Insight: The Psychological Effects of Traumatic Amputations
The psychological and emotional impact of a traumatic amputation is significant. Amputees have reported feeling a strong sense of grief, similar to the experience of losing a loved one. Individuals who have suffered an accident that resulted in a traumatic amputation will be left coping with these powerful emotions as well as trying to handle the new physical challenges. Other areas that an amputee may find difficult to adjust to are as follows:
- Loss of sensation from the amputated limb
- Loss of function from the amputated limb, which can greatly impact one’s ability to do their previous job or hobby
- Significant changes to one’s body image
- Changes to how others perceive one’s body
Traumatic amputations are different from surgical amputations, as victims often do not have the opportunity to mentally prepare for what life will look like after the loss of their limb. Individuals who have suffered a traumatic amputation often face the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Grief
- Denial (which can lead to the refusal of needed services, such as physiotherapy)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Common Causes of Amputation Injuries in Texas Personal Injury Cases
A traumatic amputation injury is often the result of a catastrophic event or accident. This includes the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Construction accidents
- Accidents involving explosions
- Accidents involving firearms
- Severe electrocution accidents
- Heavy equipment accidents
Why You Need an Experienced Amputation Injury Lawyer in Dallas
After an accident that results in a traumatic amputation, the victim may feel as if they are alone. Their entire world has been completely shattered, and the uncertainty of how to handle the new physical, emotional, and financial challenges can be overwhelming. However, an experienced amputation injury lawyer can ensure that victims get the compensation they deserve to help ease the stress of recovery. The personal injury lawyers at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C., specialize in handling cases that are specifically related to amputation injuries, such as workplace injuries and car accidents.
An amputation injury attorney is your best chance at ensuring the negligent party’s insurance company is not trying to lowball you or trick you into accepting a settlement that is less than you deserve.
How Hernandez Law Group Advocates for Amputation Injury Victims
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C., handles every traumatic amputation injury case with delicate care. We know the victims who face this life-altering injury are under extreme duress, which is why we work closely with our clients to give them the ultimate peace of mind. We allow our clients to focus on their recovery while we handle the following:
- Determining who the liable party is
- Filing a claim
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating with the negligent party and their insurance companies
- Take the case to court if needed
Compensation Available for Dallas Amputation Injury Cases
When it comes to traumatic amputation injuries, determining the full amount of damages can be complicated. This is due to the severe and permanent nature of the injury. Victims of traumatic amputations due to an accident caused by the negligence of another are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. These include the following:
- Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (both current and future)
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Modifications to property
- Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Contact Hernandez Law Group in Dallas, Texas for a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that resulted in a traumatic amputation, you need to contact the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. Our Dallas amputation injury attorneys will be able to help you take the appropriate legal action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Whether it was a car accident or a workplace accident, you can rely on attorneys to have a wealth of experience to support and bring your case to a successful conclusion. Contact us today for more information or to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
FAQs:
Accidents that can result in amputation injuries are as follows:
– Car accidents
– 18-wheeler accidents
– Motorcycle accidents
– Pedestrian accidents
– Workplace accidents
– Construction accidents
– Heavy equipment accidents
– Explosions and fires
Regarding amputation injuries, the liable party will be determined by the type of accident that caused it. For example, in an auto accident, potential liable parties are the other driver, the vehicle manufacturer, the mechanic who worked on the car, or the government (if the accident was caused by poorly maintained roads.)
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. will help you determine who the liable party is for your accident and ensure that you can claim the compensation you deserve.
You have two years from the accident date to file a claim, as outlined by the Texas Statute of Limitations.
