What Are The Long-Term Costs of Amputation or Disfigurement After an Accident
What Are The Long-Term Costs of Amputation or Disfigurement After an Accident
An amputation and disfigurement injury in an accident can be one of the worst injuries that someone can suffer. You don’t have to deal only with pain, inconvenience, and injury. There also is the loss of a critical body part, loss of use or mobility, and emotional and mental issues that may surface as you come to terms with the loss.
Many amputees need extensive medical care and rehabilitation to recover as much as possible. You may need to learn how to complete normal tasks in a new way, and many injury victims struggle with amputation and disfigurement injuries.
You should speak to a personal injury lawyer in California about your amputation injury if another person caused the accident. A personal injury lawyer can review your case and determine if you have a case. If so, your attorney can calculate what your long-term costs are for amputation and disfigurement and ensure you are fairly compensated.
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What Is An Amputation Injury?
An amputation is when a limb or digit is surgically removed because of a severe injury, infection, or other medical causes. In auto accidents, losing a limb can occur when the limb is unrepairable and damaged in an accident. Common types of limb loss injuries in auto and other types of accidents are:
- Loss of toes or fingers
- Partial foot or hand amputations
- Amputation at the ankle or foot
- Amputation below the knee
- Amputation above the knee
- Amputation below the elbow
- Amputation of the entire arm
Other amputations do not involve a limb, such as the removal of an eye. All of these losses can be compensated for in a personal injury lawsuit if another person or entity caused the injury.
How Do Amputation Injuries Happen?
The Amputee Coalition reports that 2 million Americans have some type of limb loss. Approximately 185,000 people lose limbs every year, which equates to up to 500 people daily. Medical conditions cause some amputations, but many happen because of trauma and accidents. Common accidents that can lead to amputation and disfigurement are:
Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles lead to serious injury claims involving amputation. For example, your car may roll over when another vehicle hits it, causing an arm or leg to be crushed. Or, a truck can hit the side of your small vehicle and crush an arm, leg, or both. Pedestrian and cycling accident victims also may suffer amputations when a motor vehicle strikes them.
Construction And Workplace Injuries
Construction and other types of workers in various industries may work around large machinery, vehicles, and power equipment that can cause catastrophic injury, including amputations.
For instance, you can get your arm caught in heavy machinery or between large objects that crush it.
Electrocution Injuries
A high-voltage electrical accident can lead to tissue damage and severe burns in an arm, leg, hand, or foot, which may require amputation. A severe electrical shock can occur because of a job accident, improper wiring, down power lines, or related electrical dangers.
These are only a small number of accident examples that can lead to an amputation injury. However, any accident that injures your limb beyond the point of repair may require amputation. A physician can sometimes reattach the lost limb or digit, but the procedure may not be successful. Even if your surgeon can reattach the limb, you may struggle with regaining full function.
Any accident or incident that causes you an amputation or disfigurement injury by another party is eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim. You should speak to a personal injury lawyer promptly to review your case. You may receive compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost earnings, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
What Are Long-Term Amputation And Disfigurement Costs?
No matter how you lose your limb, dealing with the loss is expensive and stressful. However, some injury victims have much higher costs, depending on the limb lost and other factors. Many legal and medical experts say it’s difficult to put a price on losing a limb because of the severe mental, physical, and financial costs of the loss.
It’s your personal injury attorney’s job to estimate your short- and long-term costs from the amputation. Some factors your attorney will examine are:
ER Costs
The amputation injury will require immediate treatments and surgeries to reduce the risk of additional loss and infection. The first ER visit may be tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Prosthetic Expenses
Depending on the limb and features, you may need a prosthetic limb, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, this is not a one-time cost; you will need to be fitted with several prosthetics over the years as they wear out.
Long-Term Medical Needs
Amputation and disfigurement victims will need additional medical care beyond the first month or year. One reason is that an amputation injury often causes other health issues, especially blood clots and infections.
Your amputation injury also may put additional stress on other parts of the body that can cause medical issues in future years.
Lost Earnings
Someone who has lost an arm, leg, hand, or foot in an accident will probably have lost work time. How much lost income you suffer depends on the severity of the injury and the kind of work you do.
Initially, your personal injury attorney will compensate you for the lost income related to the accident and treatments. However, your amputation also may affect your ability to earn a living forever. In this case, you can qualify for lost earning capacity compensation. Your personal injury attorney may retain financial and occupational experts to assess the lost income you have for the rest of your work life.
Suppose you are an automotive mechanic and lost one of your hands in a car accident. The other driver hit the side of your car and crushed your left hand. You cannot work as a mechanic with one hand, so your attorney will estimate your lost earning capacity for the rest of your working years. This calculation will be based on your annual salary or earnings multiplied by how many years you will have worked in the future.
Phantom Limb Pain
Another common issue that amputees have is phantom limb pain. It’s estimated that 80 percent of patients suffer from some degree of phantom limb pain. This is a real condition caused by nerves that still ‘remember’ the pain of the injury, even after that limb or body part is gone.
You can experience intense pain, tingling, and cramping where the lost limb was. This can go on for weeks or months. If your phantom pain continues for more than six months, it can be a permanent problem. Your personal injury attorney will learn if you have phantom limb pain and document the condition through your doctors.
An amputation and disfigurement injury also can leave a severe psychological impact. You may have depression, anxiety, embarrassment, and PTSD related to the accident and injury. Your attorney will talk to your mental health professional team to understand how the amputation injury has affected your psyche and outlook on life.
There are other potential problems with an amputation that can lead to compensation. Many amputees are fitted with a prosthetic but discover that they can’t manage well with it. You also may have severe emotional distress from the loss of the limb and social anxiety. These losses also should be paid for in a personal injury lawsuit.
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How Much Is A Particular Limb Or Digit Worth?
How much you receive for your lost limb and disfigurement varies widely by case. However, MarketWatch published a list of monetary value assigned to the various losses. Keep in mind that only your personal injury attorney can accurately calculate what your lost limb may be worth in a personal injury lawsuit:
- Arm: $124,400
- Leg: $115,200
- Hand: $97,600
- Foot: $82,000
- Eye: $64,000
- Thumb: $35,000
- First finger: $18,400
- Big toe: $15,200
- Second finger: $12,000
- Third finger: $10,000
- Fourth finger: $6,000
Also, where you lose your limb can make a difference in its value. Some states value a certain limb more than other states. For example, the loss of a leg in one state can be worth $45,000 in one state and less in another. You also can be owed additional compensation for other losses, so speak to a seasoned personal injury attorney for additional information.
How Much Is An Amputation Injury Lawsuit Worth?
The typical settlement for an amputated limb depends on many factors. How insurance companies value a particular limb varies widely. However, the following factors will largely dictate what your amputation injury claim is worth:
- The severity of the amputation injury: The more severe the injury, the higher the value. For example, losing a hand will be worth more than losing a toe. More severe and significant amputations increase the costs and consequences of the injury, so your settlement value is higher.
- Medical costs: Medical expenses for an amputation can be extensive and may include hospitalization initially, surgeries, rehabilitation, prosthetic devices, and any long-term medical treatments needed. The medical expenses for losing an entire arm or leg will be higher than if you lost a finger or toe.
- Lost income: You may be entitled to current lost income related to the accident and initial treatments. Lost earning capacity compensation may be needed if you cannot work in your previous position. This compensation can vary significantly according to the limb lost and your previous occupation and salary.
- Insurance coverage: Suppose a drunk driver runs a red light and T-bones your car. You lose your left arm and foot. Your losses may be $100,000 or more, but a settlement is usually limited by the insurance available. Some California drivers may have just $30,000 of coverage per incident. However, a skilled attorney will review your case and the liable driver’s assets to maximize your payout. Someone with a lot of assets may have to pay the full settlement.
- Pain and suffering: The initial injury was very painful, and ongoing treatments and life generally can be excruciating. You may have phantom limb pain, too.
- Mental and emotional suffering: The mental aspect of an amputation can be devastating. Many victims have PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, loss of esteem, and shame and embarrassment.
An experienced personal injury lawyer in California will review your case, talk to your doctors to understand the injury and prognosis, and accurately assess your losses. They will fight the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for all losses if needed.
How Long Will It Take To Settle An Amputation And Disfigurement Claim?
The timeline for settling an amputation claim varies, like any serious injury case. This is a catastrophic injury that impacts your ability to work and enjoy life forever. So, the claim will involve substantial financial compensation. It’s common for the insurance company to fight a large settlement aggressively. You can expect a settlement to take at least several months to resolve, which can take a year or more.
Your personal injury attorney will wait to ensure you have reached maximum medical improvement before they begin settlement negotiations. It’s essential to be patient to be sure you receive maximum compensation. Speak to a personal injury attorney promptly to learn more about the settlement timeline.
Speak To A Personal Injury Attorney Today
Did you suffer an amputation or disfigurement in an accident through no fault of your own? Your life will never be the same, and you have extensive financial losses related to the injury. Retain an experienced personal injury attorney in your city today to fight for your rights and full compensation in a lawsuit. Your attorney will not charge you for their legal work unless they obtain compensation in a settlement or lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer in California is standing by for a free consultation and case evaluation. With a serious accident the cost of medical treatments, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and ongoing care can be astronomical. A personal injury attorney can build a strong case for compensation for these expenses, ensuring that you receive the necessary medical care and support to handle your new circumstances.