Loss of Limb - Amputation Injuries

Experienced Maryland Loss of Limb Injury Attorneys

Compassionate representation for amputation and catastrophic injuries

Losing a limb is considered a catastrophic and life-changing injury, defined broadly as the severing of a body part. Some types of amputation injuries – for example, like losing a fingertip on the job – may cause a few weeks of discomfort and inconvenience. Other, severe injuries, like losing an arm or a leg, can result in a great deal physical trauma that results in continuous medical bills and a significant change of life circumstances.

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we work to compensate victims of negligence for their injuries. When a person loses a limb or suffers a catastrophic injury that was not their fault, our Maryland attorneys step in and advocate on their behalf. We protect your right to compensation and ensure the right people are held accountable for your injuries, trauma, and suffering.

Statistics about limb loss

The Amputee Coalition, a national nonprofit, offers a number of statistics about limb loss and amputation, including:

  • “There are nearly 2 million people living with limb loss in the United States
  • Approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year
  • In 2009, hospital costs associated with amputation totaled more than $8.3 billion”

Access Prosthetics reports that about 30 percent of people who experience limb loss also experience depression and anxiety, and that lifetime health care costs for an amputation injury can run upwards of $500,000.

How do limb loss and amputation injuries occur?

Loss of limb, also called traumatic amputation, can involve any part of the body, including the extremities. The arms, legs, hands, feet, toes, fingers and ears can all be at risk for amputation. Common causes of traumatic amputation include:

No matter what the cause of your injury, the Maryland attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. will work both to find out who or what was responsible, and to ensure you are compensated for your pain and losses.

What are the side effects of a limb loss injury?

The effects and consequences of an amputation are immediate and obvious. Depending on the body part affected and the severity of the injury, the patient may need a prosthetic to perform daily activities. Some or all of the following issues can occur with limb loss:

Mobility or dexterity problems

With a lower limb amputation, a person may suffer a loss of mobility. This means they cannot move around or walk as easily as they did before the injury. Often, with amputation cases, a patient is eventually able to use a prosthetic limb after much healing and physical therapy.

With an upper limb loss, a person can lose fine dexterity and motor skills, as well as loss of balance. Additionally, if a patient loses their dominant hand or arm, they may face extensive occupational therapy in order to re-learn how to use their non-dominant hand.

Phantom limb and stump pain

Patients with limb loss may experience phantom limb or stump pain, or a combination of both. Phantom pain is a condition affecting many amputees, and is the sensation of pain a patient feels in a missing limb. Although the word “phantom” may imply that the pain does not exist, this pain is very real to a patient as the source originates in the brain. Stump pain, on the other hand, is found in the remaining part of a limb and originates in damaged nerve at the site of amputation.

Infections

If the site of amputation breaks open and becomes infected, patients can suffer any number of serious consequences, including being unable to use their prosthetic. Blood clots and staph infections can result, leading to surgeries or even further limb loss.

Blood clots or DVT

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that typically affects the lower limbs. Patients who have lost a lower limb commonly experience DVT. Untreated DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where a blood clot breaks away from the leg and travels up to a person’s lungs.

A person who has experienced limb loss does not just suffer physical effects. They may also feel emotional effects, including:

  • Body image and self-consciousness
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Inability to participate in normal activities
  • Psychological issues adapting to limb loss
  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder

These are only a few of the many realities and side effects of a limb loss injury. Our Maryland attorneys have access to a wide network of resources and professionals who specialize in these types of injuries, and we are ready to help you or your loved one.

How much is my Maryland limb loss case worth?

If you lost a limb or suffered an amputation injury because of someone else’s negligent actions, you are likely eligible to pursue compensation for your damages. The personal injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. can help you seek compensation for:

  • Medical expenses, current and future
  • Loss of income and future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Accommodations to your home or vehicle

The Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research & Policy estimates the lifetime costs for a typical amputation is close to $510,000. (It is important to note that this cost does not include treatment of whatever injury or condition made the amputation necessary in the first place.) This number does include things like initial hospitalization, inpatient rehab, follow-up, doctor visits, physical therapy, and protheses costs. A prosthetic is not a one-time expenditure and may need replacing every few years.

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Contact our skilled Maryland attorneys now

If you or a loved one experienced a catastrophic injury like a limb loss or amputation due to another’s negligence, talk to the Maryland attorneys at Plaxen Muncy Adler, P.A. today. We understand the overwhelming nature of these types of injuries and we fight to ensure you receive maximum allowed damages. Whether you were injured by another driver, a medical professional, at work, or by a defective product, we are here to help. To learn more, or to schedule a free consultation, please call 410-730-7737 or fill out our contact form.