Amputations & Crush Injuries

It has been estimated that 185,000 amputations occur each year in the United States, and that approximately 45% of those amputations are a result of accidents and trauma. The most common cause of amputations caused by trauma are car wrecks and railroad accidents. Amputations are also caused at the worksite where heavy materials are dropped, where fast moving machinery is being operated, where pinch-points occur, and where sharp objects are located. Usually, blunt force trauma and crush injuries cause amputations, but other times it can be a penetrating injury such as a laceration.

Regardless of the how they physically occur, incidents that result in the loss of limbs are typically very severe. They are almost always also preventable and the result of someone or something doing something wrong. These types of incidents should never happen. When they do occur, those responsible must be held accountable.

A severe injury that results in amputation will at the very least involve surgical procedures at hospitals, which are very expensive.  Amputations can involve single digits (e.g., fingers and toes), partial limbs (e.g., arms and legs), entire limbs, multiple limbs, and any combination of the foregoing.  Oftentimes, more than one surgery is required, particularly if the injury is complex.  Additional surgeries may also be required in the future to try and restore limb functions or address new issues that have arisen.

Not all surgeons are appropriate for all surgical procedures.  Some doctors focus on certain body parts, such as hands, shoulders, arms, and feet.  Other doctors have a more broad and non-specialized surgical practice.

It is important to choose the right doctor if a surgery is required for an amputation.  All surgeries are dangerous, and can result in death.  In an emergency, there may not be the opportunity to choose the doctor, especially if the surgery is being performed in the emergency room immediately after the injury to save the person’s life.  But if the surgery is taking place weeks or months after the injury, there is usually enough time to make sure the right doctor is selected for the procedure.

Persons who suffer from complicated amputations—such as multiple limb amputations—often unfortunately lead more sedentary lifestyles and are not able to exercise as much.  Their prosthetic limbs can cause infections, irritations, and severe discomfort.  Sitting in a wheelchair can cause negative consequences to the spine, circulation, and heart functions.  There is an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic issues.

Comprehensive medical care for those who suffer amputations is incredibly costly, and will last the person’s lifetime.  The cost for proper lifetime care of patients suffering amputations can be in the millions of dollars.

In addition to pain, suffering, mental anguish, and medical costs, persons who suffer from amputations will also often suffer severe economic hardship from loss of wages.  Many persons who suffer amputation injuries do so at the workplace.  When that person loses the use of an arm and a leg, they have essentially lost their ability to work and earn a living, and they are often fired.  Sometimes the company involved waits just long enough for deadlines to file lawsuits to expire before firing an injured employee.  Although discrimination is illegal, it happens all the time.  Companies simply do not want to be slowed down or burdened with persons that have suffered tragic injuries and who do not have full use of their bodies.  Loss of wages is a key component in any lawsuit for an amputation injury.