What Are Complications Related to Amputations?
Any time a person loses a limb, they will suffer a serious loss. Amputations are rare injuries, but if you have been involved in a traumatic accident, then your odds go up of needing a limb removed. Some of the more common accidents that involve a relatively high risk of amputations are truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and workplace incidents involving powerful or heavy machinery.
Amputations, like other catastrophic injuries, can require ongoing medical treatment to deal with complications. Contact one of our Delray Beach personal injury lawyers to review your case.
Physical Complications
There are many complications that can make life very difficult for an amputee. Some of the more common include:
- Wound infection
- Wounds that heal slowly
- Thickened nerve tissue
- Bone spurs
- Stump overgrowth
- Phantom limb pain
An amputee might need additional surgery to deal with some of these complications. Alternatively, they might not be able to wear a prosthetic for long stretches of time as their bodies heal.
Pain in the phantom limb is real pain. Studies have shown that the brain is responding to certain neural signals. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, corticosteroid, or other drugs.
Psychological Complications
It is no exaggeration to state that the psychological fallout from an amputation is often as serious as the physical ones. Having lost a body part, many amputees can sink into a deep depression. Others will deal with embarrassment or anxiety as they get used to going out into public as an amputee.
Depending on the accident that caused the amputation, some victims struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can involve insomnia, flashbacks, and other emotional distress. This is a very serious medical condition that can require psychotherapy and medication to manage.
At-Home Assistance
Some amputees can maintain their independence with the help of prosthetics. However, others might be unable to perform basic everyday tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry. When someone is permanently disabled, they will need to hire out these tasks, which can cost considerable sums of money, especially if the amputee is very young.
Paying for All this Care
Ongoing care is expensive. However, once you sign a settlement, you will agree to release the defendant from any future lawsuit. This means that you need to get all the money you can in your settlement, because you will not get another bite at the apple.
To obtain full compensation for an amputation, we encourage members of the public to reach out to a seasoned Delray Beach personal injury lawyer to review their case. Based on experience, an attorney is well positioned to discuss your chances of financial recovery.
At Earnhart Law, we can thoroughly review your medical history and associated losses, such as loss of income. If your amputation prevents you from returning to work, you could also lose considerable income.
We can also calculate the cost of your future medical, psychiatric, and at-home care. Your settlement should provide a generous amount to cover these lifetime costs.
Contact our law firm today. We are happy to offer a free consultation.
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