Experienced New York City Amputation Injury Lawyer
New York City Amputation Injury Lawyer
Find out why we are some of the best New York City amputation injury lawyers
Amputation Injuries
An amputation injury refers to the loss or severing of a body part, typically a limb such as an arm, leg, finger, or toe.
This type of injury can occur in a variety of settings, including workplace accidents, auto accidents, and medical malpractice cases.
The physical trauma of losing a body part, amputation injuries can also have profound emotional and psychological effects on the individual and their loved ones.
The process of recovery from an amputation injury can also be lengthy, costly, and require extensive medical treatment, prosthetics, and rehabilitation.
Approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year. [1]
Medical Treatment
The medical treatment for amputation varies depending on the severity of the injury, the location, and the underlying cause. In cases of severe and traumatic amputations, the immediate medical response is critical to prevent further harm or complications.
The initial treatment may involve controlling bleeding and stabilizing the patient’s vital signs. After stabilizing the patient, the medical team may perform surgery to close the wound or to reshape the affected area.
The patient will likely be placed on pain medication and other medications to minimize the risk of infection and to promote healing. Due to phantom pain, amputees experience nerve pain that they sense in in the appendage that they are aware no longer is part of their body. Pain management is especially important for amputation injury victims as chronic nerve pain is difficult to manage.
Once the initial healing has occurred, the patient will need to undergo an extensive rehabilitation process to regain function, mobility, and independence.
This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of rehabilitative care. Patients will need to work with prosthetic specialists to design and fit custom prosthetic limbs, which can significantly improve their ability to perform daily activities.
Ongoing mental health support may be necessary to help patients cope through this difficult time with the emotional and psychological trauma of losing a limb or other body part.
The medical treatment for amputation often involves a complex, multi-disciplinary approach that requires ongoing support and care from a team of medical professionals, rehabilitation experts, and other specialists. This can result in significant medical costs over time and at times homecare services will be needed to assist with daily routines.
Prosthetics
Prosthetics refer to the artificial limbs or body parts that are designed and customized to replace the missing body part.
These devices come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and designs, and are typically custom made to fit each patient’s unique needs and specifications. The goal of prosthetics is to help amputees regain function and mobility and improve their quality of life.
Advances in prosthetic technology have made it possible to design devices that are increasingly realistic and capable of mimicking the movements and functions of natural limbs.
Some prosthetics even use advanced technologies, such as microprocessors and artificial intelligence, to further enhance their performance and capabilities.
In cases of upper limb amputations, prosthetics can be customized to perform a wide range of functions, including grasping and holding objects, performing fine motor tasks, and even playing musical instruments.
Lower limb prosthetics are designed to help amputees walk, run, and engage in other forms of physical activity.
Prosthetics can be expensive, and not all types of prosthetics may be covered by insurance policies.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation for an amputation is a critical part of the recovery process, as it helps amputees regain function and independence following the loss of a limb or body part.
The rehabilitation process typically includes a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of rehabilitative care, which are designed to help patients develop the skills, strength, and mobility needed to perform daily activities.
The specific type of rehabilitation required will depend on the location and severity of the amputation, as well as the individual’s age, overall health, and other factors.
Physical therapy typically focuses on improving range of motion and strength.
Occupational therapy focuses on developing the skills needed to perform tasks and activities of daily living.
Patients may need to work with prosthetic specialists to design and fit a custom prosthetic device. Prosthetic training is essential to help patients learn how to use the prosthetic device effectively and to develop the skills needed to perform daily activities with the prosthetic.
Psychological and emotional support may also be an essential component of the rehabilitation process. Amputees may feel a sense of grief, loss, and frustration following their injury, which can be challenging to cope with.
The rehabilitation process for an amputation can take several months to a year or more, and requires a dedicated effort by the patient and the rehabilitation team to achieve optimal outcome
Types of Amputations
Traumatic Amputations
A traumatic amputation is the sudden and accidental loss of a body part due to external trauma, such as a car accident, workplace accident, or act of violence.
This type of injury can be severe and life-altering, as it can cause significant physical, emotional, and psychological damage to the victim.
Traumatic amputations can occur in a variety of ways, such as the loss of a limb or finger amputation could occur due to being crushed or severed by heavy machinery, or the loss of an arm or leg due to a serious car accident.
The long-term effects of a traumatic amputation can be debilitating, as the loss of a limb can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform basic tasks and engage in daily activities.
The emotional and psychological trauma of losing a body part can be overwhelming, as it can impact an individual’s self-esteem, body image, and overall quality of life.
In order to recover from a traumatic amputation injury, victims must often undergo extensive medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation to regain as much function and independence as possible.
Partial and Complete Amputations
A partial amputation involves the loss of some, but not all, of a body part. This may include the loss of fingers or toes, or the removal of a portion of an arm or leg.
In cases of partial amputations, the extent of the loss will depend on the severity and location of the injury.
A complete amputation involves the loss of the entire body part, such as an entire arm or leg. Complete amputations can occur due to a variety of accidents and injuries including:
- Car Accidents
- Workplace Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
The consequences of partial and complete amputations can be significant, including pain, loss of function, and psychological trauma.
Related Information
Causes of Amputations
Construction Accidents
Construction accidents are a significant cause of amputation injuries, as construction sites often involve heavy machinery, power tools, and other types of equipment that can cause severe trauma to the body.
Workers in the construction industry are at increased risk for amputation due to the nature of their work, which often involves handling large and heavy objects and working in hazardous environments.
Workers can suffer amputations due to a variety of accidents such as being caught in or between machinery, exposure to electrical shocks, or accidents involving heavy equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, or backhoes.
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and hazard-free work environment, which includes providing appropriate safety equipment, signage, and training for employees.
Motorcycle and Car Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are a common cause of amputation because riders are more vulnerable to severe injuries due to the lack of protective barriers.
Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have seat belts, airbags, or other safety features to protect the rider in the event of an accident.
Motorcyclists are at a higher risk of severe injuries, including traumatic amputations.
In accidents involving motorcycles, the impact can cause severe damage to the limbs, and in some cases, the limbs can be crushed or severed completely.
The risk of amputation is particularly high for the lower extremities, including the legs and feet, which are usually struck first in the event of a collision.
Even when riders wear protective gear, such as helmets and padded clothing, it may not be enough to protect them from severe injuries that can lead to amputations.
Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents are a common cause of amputation injuries, as workers can be exposed to various hazards that can cause trauma to the body.
Industries with the highest rates of amputation injuries are:
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Transportation
Amputations caused by workplace accidents can have a significant impact on an employee’s life, as losing a limb or body part can result in long-term disability, require extensive rehabilitation, and significantly impact their ability to earn a living.
Financial losses can be very difficult and there are laws set in place to move that financial burden from the amputee’s shoulders, and transfer it to the employers if they are found to be negligent.
Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe workplace environment, which includes ensuring that employees receive proper training on how to handle hazardous machinery, tools, and materials.
Employers must also provide safety guards for hazardous equipment, maintain and repair equipment to ensure safety, and provide appropriate safety equipment such as gloves, masks, and safety glasses.
Meat and Poultry Companies Continue to Be Among the Most Dangerous
The data also reveal that meatpacking and poultry companies, with substantially fewer employees than the other top reporters, continue to be among the most dangerous industries. Tyson Foods—with 120,000 employees—had the fifth-highest number of severe injuries (279). JBS/Pilgrim’s Pride—with an even smaller workforce (78,000)—reported the 8th-highest number of severe injuries (185). Cargill—with 48,0502 employees—reported the 20th-highest number of severe injuries (86), and Smithfield—with 63,000 employees—reported the 22nd-highest number of severe injuries (80).
By comparison, other manufacturing companies, such as Ford Motor Company (90,000 employees), reported 41 severe injuries. Tyson Foods, with 33% more workers than Ford, had six times the number of reported severe injuries. JBS/Pilgrim’s Pride, with slightly fewer workers than Ford, reported four times the number of severe injuries.
Other companies with high numbers of reported severe injuries include Publix, Lowe’s, Walt Disney, Kroger, Coca-Cola, and Amazon. See chart below for the top 23 companies reporting severe injuries. [2]
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can be a cause of amputation when medical professionals fail to recognize and appropriately treat medical conditions that could lead to amputation.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider or institution deviates from the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient.
Medical malpractice related to amputation can occur in several ways, such as failure to diagnose and treat infections, including those related to diabetic foot ulcers, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer or other conditions that require surgical intervention, or failure to detect and appropriately manage blood circulation issues such as peripheral arterial disease.
Malpractice can also occur during surgical procedures, such as errors during amputation surgeries, incorrectly sized prosthetic devices, or lack of follow-up care.
Unsafe Working Conditions
Unsafe working conditions can cause amputations in a variety of ways.
Workers may suffer amputations due to unguarded machinery, lack of safety training and equipment.
Workers can also suffer amputations due to the malfunctioning of heavy machinery which caused a machinery accident or the use of faulty equipment.
These unsafe working conditions can lead to serious accidents like being caught in, crushed by, or struck by equipment or objects.
Contact Our NYC Amputation Injury Attorneys
At Goldberg & Loren, our legal team of experienced personal injury attorneys understands the physical and emotional challenges that come with amputation injuries, and they strive to ensure their clients receive the compensation they deserve.
We understand that each case is unique, and we work hard to customize legal strategies tailored to the individual needs of our clients. Contact us today.
Sources
[1] Limb Loss Statistics – Amputee Coalition. (n.d.). Amputee Coalition.
https://www.amputee-coalition.org/limb-loss-resource-center/resources-filtered/resources-by-topic/limb-loss-statistics/limb-loss-statistics/
[2] An average of 27 workers a day suffer amputation or hospitalization, according to new OSHA data from 29 states: Meat and poultry companies remain among the most dangerous. (n.d.). Economic Policy Institute.
https://www.epi.org/blog/an-average-of-27-workers-a-day-suffer-amputation-or-hospitalization-according-to-new-osha-data-from-29-states-meat-and-poultry-companies-remain-among-the-most-dangerous/
Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury Attorneys
5 Columbus Cir Suite 1501
New York, NY 10019
(646) 835-0311
If you were in an accident that lead to an amputation we may be able to help. Contact us now for a free consultation.
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