Tampa Amputation Injury Lawyer
An accident can be so severe that it leads to amputation. Amputation refers to the loss or removal of a body part such as an arm, leg, hand, foot, finger, or toe. It is often a life-changing experience, affecting a person physically and mentally. Losing a body part can impact your life in many ways, including your ability to work, move, work, and maintain your independence. Plus, an amputation can cause significant pain, phantom limb phenomena, and emotional trauma.
Amputations are no laughing matter. They are very traumatic injuries. Contact the Tampa amputation injury lawyers at Anderson & Anderson for help obtaining compensation.
Types of Amputations
There are two main types of amputations:
- Traumatic amputation. This is when a person loses a limb due to an accident. In some cases, it is possible for the limb to be reattached, but in most cases, the person loses the limb. A traumatic amputation may be caused by car accidents, explosions, workplace accidents, machinery, and entrapments.
- Surgical amputation. A lack of blood supply in a limb can lead to necrosis, which is the death of the limb’s tissue. This medical condition cannot be reversed. Once necrosis has set in, amputation is usually the only remaining option.
Traumatic amputations account for 45% of amputations, while 54% are surgical in nature. Surgical amputations may result from complications from diabetes and other vascular diseases. These medical conditions can cause tissue death in legs, feet, and toes. The remaining 1% of amputations are performed for diseases such as cancer and sepsis.
Who is Liable?
If an accident results in the amputation of a limb, the victim is able to recover financial compensation if a third party was negligent in some way. For example, if a motorist gets their leg amputated after being involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, the drunk driver will likely be held liable for the injury.
In any case, it is the responsibility of the victim to prove that someone else was negligent for their amputation. However, this can be difficult when a victim is recovering from such a catastrophic injury. In addition, statutes of limitations apply. In Florida, a person has four years from the date of the injury to file for a lawsuit. If the claim for compensation is filed after that time has passed, the victim will be barred from receiving financial recovery.
Contact Us Today
Amputation injuries are permanent and life-changing. They do not heal, as the amputated limb will never grow back. A victim will have to adapt to life with or without a prosthesis.
If your amputation was caused by another person’s negligence, it’s important that you get legal help right away. The Tampa personal injury lawyers at Anderson & Anderson can answer your questions and give you the advice you need to get through your physical and emotional trauma. Get started with a free case review. Call 813-251-0072.
