Losing a limb is a traumatic and life-changing experience. Whether it occurs in a car accident, at work, due to a medical condition, or from a serious injury, the long-term effects on an amputee’s daily life are profound. Amputations involve the removal of a limb or part of a limb, and while some are medically necessary to prevent further complications, others result from preventable accidents caused by negligence. In cases where another party’s carelessness led to the injury, an auto accident attorney helping injured drivers can play a crucial role in pursuing compensation for medical treatment, prosthetics, and rehabilitation. The Clark Law Office represents clients throughout Michigan who have suffered amputations and helps them recover the financial support they need to move forward with their lives.
The circumstances and consequences of an injury can vary depending on the type of accident involved. Auto accidents, motorcycle crashes, and truck collisions are among the other serious injuries from car accidents in Michigan that frequently result in amputations. In these situations, victims never consented to the harm they suffered and had no warning that their lives were about to change so dramatically. Instead of continuing their daily routines, they are suddenly faced with permanent physical loss and long-term challenges.
When an amputation is caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness, the injured individual may have the right to seek compensation. Amputation injuries often require extensive medical treatment, orthopedic care, physical therapy, and long-term adjustments that affect employment and quality of life. Understanding how these injuries arise and how they are handled legally is an important step for victims navigating recovery after serious accidents.
The Severity of Traumatic Amputations
One thing that tells about the severity of the amputation is its level. Typically, the higher the amputation is, the worse the functional outcome will be. For example, a victim with an amputation below the knee will be able to do more than a person with an amputation above the knee. Another essential factor to look at is the number of limbs amputated. One-sided amputation is often better than two-sided amputations. Imagine a person without a left hand; he can still do a lot of things such as feed himself. But if a person has both hands lost, how would he eat? How would he work?
Lastly, amputations can be either incomplete or complete. In complete amputations, there is totally no more nerves, ligaments, and muscles that connect the severed limb to the body. In incomplete amputations, some soft-tissue connections are intact. These are the information needed to serve as evidence for your condition. With your medical record that has these details, we will have less trouble when we represent the case on your behalf.
The New Life an Amputee Has to Face
As soon as an amputated limb is severed, sudden and severe complications may arise. For example, intense bleeding may result in shock and infections if no immediate attention is given. Sometimes, there is a possibility for a limb to be reattached. This has to be done as soon as possible by a very skilled surgeon. The nerves, muscles, and other tissues can reattach this way, although traces of damage can still exist.
As the person is recovering, he or she might still feel that the severed limb is still intact. This is called phantom limb sensation. A person may still sense pain on the amputated limb where in fact, there is no more. Worst case scenario: an amputee gets up from bed feeling like she has both feet still intact, and then she can get off-balanced and may cause further injuries. There are also emotional and psychologic factors in play at the mind of the amputee. For example, he or she may feel incomplete as a person. Not to mention the social stigma that the person has to face.
Prosthetic Devices
There have been ways to help an amputee recover and feel a little better. Prosthetics are mobility devices that are attached to the patient to help them move and do the things necessary to them. Whether for aesthetics or for actual functional use, prosthetics are precious for an amputee. However, some prosthetics can be very expensive and are not covered by health insurance. An amputee needs help from a reliable company to help cover these kinds of expenses. Moreover, these prosthetics have a lifespan of about 5-10 years, depending on the quality. Every now and then, an amputee has to have the prosthesis adjusted to fit his or her needs.
Contact an Amputation Lawyer in Michigan to Help You Recover Damages
An amputation is perhaps one of the most life-altering changes a person can face. It affects a person’s lifestyle no matter what age and requires from them a lifetime of rehabilitation and acceptance to move on with life. As trusted amputation lawyers, we fully understand the effects of your condition. We can help you receive a settlement for the medical treatment services you acquired and will acquire in the future. Call The Clark Law Office today so we can talk about how we can help.
See how catastrophic injuries like amputation are explained in our auto accident resource center.