A limb loss is a disfiguring injury that lasts a lifetime. While some amputations are occasioned by diseases such as diabetes, accidents remain the most common cause of amputation. When this happens, it is referred to as “traumatic amputation.”
Loss of limb is a form of personal injury that results in the severing of the damaged body part. Besides the physical and mental anguish occasioned by amputation, the injury victim will have a huge medical bill to deal with besides losing their ability to work or participate in their favorite sport.
How a traumatic limb loss happens
A car accident, workplace incident, pet attack or medical negligence can result in limb loss. Sometimes, the severed limb can or cannot be reattached depending on the severity of the damage.
Getting compensation for your damages
Clearly, you cannot put a price tag on your ability to walk or use your hands. Compensations for your injury cannot bring back the severed limb. However, the personal injury claim awarded can help cover treatment costs as well as other expenses such as loss of income and mobility equipment.
Some of the damages you may pursue following an amputation injury include the following:
- Treatment costs such as hospital bills, surgery, assistive devices as well as ongoing medical needs like medication and rehabilitative therapy
- Lost income due to hospitalization
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life, physical pain and mental anguish
Depending on the circumstances that resulted in your injuries like malicious actions or gross negligence on the part of the defendant, you may also be entitled to punitive damages.
Suffering a limb loss due to someone else’s negligence can be devastating. If you have sustained this form of personal injury, it is important that you pursue the at-fault party for compensation for your damages.