Losing a limb is a catastrophic injury which permanently changes a person’s life. Losing an arm, leg, hand, or foot can cause intense emotional distress. Also, it is hard for many people to return to their normal lives. They might be unable to get around town on their own, and they might need to search for a new job.
At Larson & Gallivan Law, we have helped many victims of catastrophic injuries who are permanently injured in an accident. We understand the different wrinkles that arise with these cases, so be sure to schedule a consultation with our law firm to speak with aVermont personal injury attorney. You have one shot to get fair compensation, so make your chance count.
Which Accidents Lead to Amputation?
Our clients have lost limbs in all types of accidents:
- Workplace accidents. A limb can get caught in a machine and be torn from the body, or else a limb is mangled beyond recognition.
- Burn injuries. A client can suffer a burn in all types of incidents, including exploding product cases, car accidents, and premises liability claims. A limb burned beyond recognition must be amputated. In other situations, a burn can lead to a serious infection, which can only be treated through amputation.
- Crush injuries. Heavy objects can damage skeletal muscle which leads to crush syndrome and possibly the failure of your kidneys. A doctor might amputate a limb to keep this condition from getting worse.
- Motorcycle accidents. Horrifying, high-speed accidents can lead to a limb being torn off the body.
Regardless of how you lose a limb, your primary focus will be on stabilizing your condition. You could spend days in the hospital to ensure you recover properly.
Future Medical Expenses
Many amputees have ongoing medical expenses:
- Future surgeries. You might need stump surgery in the future to deal with sores which can form on the stump.
- Physical therapy. Someone who loses a leg or arm might need physical therapy to strengthen the rest of their body. As an example, you might rely more on your upper body to get in and out of bed.
- Wheelchair and other mobility devices. You might need a wheelchair to get around your house. Some people have their car or van modified so they can continue to drive around, even after losing a limb.
- Mental health counseling. Some people report feeling as if they lost a member of the family when they lose a limb. You might need psychological counseling or behavioral therapy to help you adjust.
Your attorney should know how to calculate the cost of future care and then request compensation for future, foreseeable expenses. Inexperienced lawyers often request past medical expenses but are unaware they can request foreseeable future expenses, too.
How Do We Prove Pain and Suffering?
We seek fair compensation for pain and mental anguish. Losing a limb is not a temporary injury. You have suffered a permanent loss, which is often hard for people to overcome.
We will request money for pain and suffering, including mental anguish and disfigurement. The key issue here is figuring out how much to request. When it comes to lost income, we have your paystubs to use to calculate the dollar value of your loss. With pain and depression, conversely, the value is more subjective.
Your choice of attorney makes a big difference when it comes to general damages like pain and suffering. You can help your case enormously by documenting how the limb loss has affected you. For example, you might not be able to enjoy playing with your grandchildren in the yard, and you could slip into a serious depression.
Some people experiencephantom limb pain, which is pain in their limb which was amputated. That is not unusual, and you can receive fair compensation.
Lost Income and Limb Loss
Losing a limb does more than cause depression and anxiety. You might not be able to return to your old job. That means you will lose income for years, possibly decades.
Imagine that you work as a nurse’s assistant. A bad car accident causes your left leg to be amputated. Because you can no longer walk around or help patients, you transition to a different desk job, such as a receptionist.
This forced job change results in losing income. Your hourly wage is lower, and you bring home less each month. Helpfully, you can request compensation for future economic losses of this sort.
We demand compensation for past, present, and future lost income. Let our Vermont personal injury lawyer review your circumstances. The amount you request will depend on several factors, such as how much you made right before the accident, as well as your comparative negligence. If you are partially to blame for the accident, your compensation is reduced.
Identifying the Correct Defendant
Catastrophic injuries are usually worth much more than temporary injuries like a sprain or even a broken bone. However, not every defendant has the resources to make you whole. Suppose you are struck in a car accident. The at-fault driver only has the minimum insurance required in Vermont. Currently, that is $25,000—which might not even fully cover the cost of surgery, to say nothing of future lost income or pain and suffering.
Our firm is dedicated to increasing the pot of money available for our clients. We rely on different approaches. For example, you might have lost a limb in a truck accident. If so, then the trucking company should be liable for the accident.
In other situations, we will look at other insurance policies you have that might cover a loss of limb. Some people have accidental dismemberment insurance through a credit card.
Speak with a Vermont Personal Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic injuries change lives permanently. Helpfully, Larson & Gallivant Law knows how personal injury law can provide a powerful remedy. We can bring a lawsuit or file an insurance claim against the person or business at fault for your amputation. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-strings consultation.
