High-impact crashes can have countless consequences for the victim. When accidents result in amputations, the after-effects are multiplied tenfold. The physical and emotional repercussions of such a profound injury can be life-altering. They may also lead to chronic pain and lifelong emotional turmoil. This blog explores the causes of limb loss, how amputations affect victims, and the reality of prosthetics.
Common Causes of Limb Loss After Accidents
Amputations can occur during high-impact crashes due to immense pressure or injury by sharp objects. If the limb is trapped in the moments following the accident, emergency teams may have to amputate at the scene to free the victim. Amputations may also be performed immediately after an accident in the emergency room if limb damage has life-threatening consequences, like infection.
Infections can develop rapidly, leading to sepsis, a condition that results from exposure to high volumes of bacteria. Sepsis can be life-threatening, so depending on the prognosis, the patient and their doctors may choose to amputate to prevent the sepsis from spreading. Gangrene is another concern that doctors must monitor carefully because it can spread so rapidly.
In many cases, accident victims survive the initial trauma. However, doctors are often forced to amputate a limb in the days and weeks following the accident when it’s no longer functional. Severely damaged limbs can also cause extreme, chronic pain that may be avoided by amputation.
Crush syndrome happens when a limb is trapped under immense pressure, which builds in the muscle, causing compartment syndrome. This disorder leads to renal failure if an amputation is not performed fast enough. Veins can also be damaged so severely that blood no longer flows to the limb, leading to tissue death.
Which Body Parts Can Be Amputated?
Accidents can result in a range of amputations depending on the type of accident and the severity of the impact. Leg, arm, foot, and hand amputations are the most common. Elbow, wrist, knee, hip, and shoulder disarticulation are amputations that go directly through the joint. Finger and toe amputations are also common, as well as partial foot and hand amputations.
The impact of an amputation depends on how much of the limb is removed; for example, transtibial amputations are below the knee, and transfemoral amputations are above the knee. Transfemoral amputations are more severe due to the loss of mobility provided by the knee. Disarticulation amputations can also have a significant impact due to damage done to the joint.
How Amputations Affect Quality of Life
Amputations can have a significant impact on an accident victim’s life, which increases the chances of a high settlement amount. Limb loss may prevent a patient from returning to work for an extended period due to recovery, rehabilitation, waiting for prosthetics, and learning how to function without the limb.
Depending on which body part is amputated, the accident victim may not be able to perform the same job as before. In these situations, the patient will need to learn new skills or accept a job in a lower-paying role. On an emotional level, disfiguring amputations can cause embarrassment, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Should the accident victim decide to sue the responsible party, they may be offered a settlement by the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Settlements for loss of limbs can vary widely depending on the limb, the level of disfigurement, impact on income, recovery difficulties, complications, and lifelong impact of the amputation. There are also exceptionally high medical costs associated with amputations that include emergency care, surgeries, medication, extended hospital stays, prosthetics, and rehabilitation.
What About Prosthetics?
While prosthetics do offer a way for amputation patients to regain independence and mobility, they are not a perfect solution. Many prosthetics are exceedingly costly; they can take several months to create, and patients often need two or more as their injured limb becomes less swollen and adjusts to the prosthetic. To function independently with a prosthetic requires months of recovery and a slow, often painful, trial-and-error process.
Prosthetics can also be very limited, depending on the amputated limb. For example, there are no widely available prosthetics for lost fingers, which leaves many accident victims to adapt to a life with limited dexterity. The prosthetics that are available for such amputations can be astronomically expensive, putting them out of reach for the average amputee.
Compensation for a Lost Limb
Three main types of compensation may be awarded to a car accident victim who has experienced limb loss. Economic damages aim to help the victim recoup their financial losses, such as hospital bills, surgery expenses, prosthetic devices, lost income, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate the victim for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.
The third compensation category is punitive damages, which are awarded only in specific situations. Should the court believe that the at-fault party was recklessly negligent or intentionally harmful, it may award punitive damages. These damages act as a deterrent for similar behavior in the future and as punishment for particularly egregious behavior.
Seeking Justice for Post-Accident Limb Loss
If you or a loved one has been in an accident that resulted in amputation, there is legal recourse for recovering financial and psychological damages. Contact HHJ Trial Attorneys to schedule a complimentary consultation, where we can discuss your case and explore your options. We understand the long-term repercussions of an amputation, and we will fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
