Kentucky Traumatic Amputation Attorneys
Legal help in Lexington and Louisville when you have lost a limb due to negligence
Losing a limb or extremity is permanent and life-altering injury, leaving the victim with a disability, chronic pain, a lifetime of medical bills, and other physical and emotional challenges. Traumatic amputations can occur from immediate physical trauma at the site of an accident, or from complications following a severe injury. When a limb loss results from the negligent actions of another, you are entitled to financial compensation for the damages you have suffered.
At Wilt Injury Lawyers, our Kentucky injury attorneys want to help. Our years of experience working with survivors of catastrophic injuries put knowledge and strategy on your side. We work to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries, with the understanding that a traumatic amputation is an injury you must live with for the rest of your life. Contact us in Lexington or Louisville today.
How can we help today?
- What is a traumatic amputation injury?
- What are the complications of a Kentucky traumatic amputation?
- Who is liable for my Kentucky traumatic amputation injury?
- What is the value of my Kentucky traumatic amputation case?
- How can a traumatic amputation lawyer help?
- Do you have a traumatic amputation attorney near me?
What is a traumatic amputation injury?
Amputation, or limb loss, is the removal of a body part or extremity. This can include anything from a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm, or leg. You can experience limb loss through one of two ways:
- A surgical amputation is required when disease or infection affects a part of the body to the point where it puts a patient’s life at risk. One example of this is when a person suffers an injury or condition that cuts off blood flow to the affected body part, like a crushing injury or frostbite. Other causes of surgical amputation include conditions like cancer, diabetes, birth injuries, and medical malpractice.
- A traumatic amputation happens when a person loses a limb in a serious incident, like a car crash, truck wreck, explosion, or construction accident. A limb or extremity can be crushed, sheared off, or injured so badly it cannot be saved. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that traumatic amputations are responsible for 45% of all limb loss injuries.
The Amputee Coalition of America collects statistics regarding those living with limb loss in the US, updating the data every year. Their latest reports note that 2.1 million people currently live with limb loss and 185,000 have an amputation each year – translating to 507 Americans losing a limb every day. They estimate this number will grow to 3.6 million people living with limb loss by the year 2050.
Other notable statistics include:
- 1,729 military personnel have experienced limb loss due to combat since 9/11/2001
- 36% of people living with limb loss experience depression
- The majority of amputations are lower limbs (65%)
- The three main causes of limb loss as vascular disease (54%), trauma (45%), and cancer (2%)
- Lifetime healthcare costs for people with limb loss is over $509,000
The Kentucky attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers open an investigation into how your accident and injuries occurred to ensure the right party or parties are held responsible.
What are the complications of a Kentucky traumatic amputation?
The aftermath of a limb loss injury does not end after the initial treatment. A patient is at risk of a variety of dangerous health complications that can last long after the accident and injury. Some of these complications and conditions can be life-threatening. Complications from traumatic amputation injuries include:
- Post-operative infections, common at the injury site after surgery. Infection can lead to pain, delayed healing, and problems with prosthetic limbs.
- Edema, when fluid builds up in the tissues and causes swelling. This can lead to wound breakdown, pain, and issues with fitting prosthetics.
- Tissue necrosis, when tissues at the site of the injury begin to die, necessitating more surgery.
- Chronic pain, an unavoidable consequence of a catastrophic injury. Patients can experience residual limb pain, phantom limb pain, and pain at the site of the injury.
Any time a patient has to re-enter the hospital for more surgery or wound treatment following an amputation injury, they are also putting themselves at risk for things like hospital-acquired infections or even medical malpractice. If this happens to you or a loved one, talk to our Kentucky attorneys today.
Who is liable for my Kentucky traumatic amputation injury?
Determining liability for your injury depends on the specific circumstances of your accident or situation. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we find that liable parties typically include people and entities like:
- Employers
- At-fault drivers
- Private individuals
- Defective product manufacturers
- Trucking companies
- Medical professionals
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Property owners
Let’s look at some examples. If a defective piece of machinery caused you to lose several fingers, the product manufacturer may be held responsible. Your employer could also be liable for failing to provide a safe workplace. Or, if a car accident caused you to lose your leg, the at-fault driver would be liable for your damages.
Our lawyers work to determine each and every liable party to ensure you secure proper compensation for your catastrophic injury.
How can a traumatic amputation lawyer help?
It is true that you do not need an attorney to file a personal injury claim. However, when you are dealing with an injury like limb loss – an injury that requires lifetime care – it is highly advisable. Medical expenses for an amputation injury can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, and your Kentucky lawyer can help ensure you secure the compensation you need both now and for the rest of your life.
When the attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers take your case, we start with launching a full investigation. We speak to witnesses, gather evidence, work with authorities, and file all the proper paperwork and documents on your behalf. We talk to your medical team to get the details, as well as the big picture, of how your amputation injury is affecting every aspect of your life. Finally, we put our legal and negotiating skills to work, handling insurance companies and liable parties to secure a proper settlement or jury verdict to allow you to move on from the terrible trauma you have experienced.
What is the value of my Kentucky traumatic amputation case?
The attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers understand the life-altering nature of limb loss injuries and will advocate on your behalf. We negotiate with insurance companies and will not hesitate to go to trial if that is what it takes to secure the benefits to which you are entitled. We fight for compensation including:
- Medical bills
- Wage loss
- Rehabilitation services and equipment
- Miscellaneous expenses related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
In certain cases, we also seek punitive damages, which are an additional financial award issued by the court to the injury victim. Their purpose is to punish the liable party, set an example for the public, and prevent similar instances from occurring in the future.
Punitive damages are only issued in Kentucky when the actions of the liable party intentionally caused “cruel and unjust hardship” to the injury victim. We can explain more about this in a personal consultation.
Do you have a traumatic amputation attorney near me?
Wilt Injury Lawyers has offices in Louisville and Lexington:
If you are too injured or ill to travel to us, we can arrange a phone or video conference. We also make hospital visits when necessary.
Experienced Louisville and Lexington traumatic amputation lawyers
The attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers understand the loss of a limb is one of the most catastrophic injuries a person can experience. If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic amputation as a result of another’s negligence or recklessness, let us help. We can protect your rights throughout the legal process and work to secure the compensation to which you are entitled – and the justice you deserve for what you have endured. Please call 502-253-9110 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We maintain offices in Lexington and Louisville, and proudly serve clients throughout Kentucky.