Losing a Limb After an Accident 

Denver Loss of Limb Accident Attorney

Accidents that result in the loss of a limb can create life-altering circumstances. When a car accident victim has lost a limb by amputation, the victim and their family are affected as well.

When you’ve lost a limb because of another person’s negligence in a car crash, it intensifies the pain and suffering, and the feeling of despair.

From the physical and emotional challenges to the complex legal aspects, getting help after a car accident amputation requires special personal injury knowledge and experience.

That’s where a Denver loss of limb accident attorney in Colorado becomes an invaluable ally, dedicated to advocating for your legal rights and helping you pursue fair compensation.

What Types of Accidents Can Cause Amputations?

Denver’s roads and highways witness numerous car accidents each year. Lost limbs and amputation injuries cases can be caused by a variety of car accidents.

When accidents involve high speeds or collisions with larger vehicles, the consequences can be catastrophic.

The impact of a car crash can lead to severe trauma, crushing injuries, and potential limb loss. Reckless driving, drunk driving, distracted driving, and failure to adhere to traffic regulations contribute to the risk of serious accidents.

Additionally, when a motorcycle accident or pedestrian accident is severe, sometimes surgical amputation may be necessary.

Many amputees experience a phenomenon known as “phantom limb sensations,” and some even experience pain where their limb used to be.

Psychological trauma often accompanies phantom limb sensations. If you or a loved one has experienced a lost limb as a result of an accident, contact our Denver loss of limb accident attorneys today for a free consultation.

How Much Money Can I Get if I Lost a Limb?

5 Examples of the Types of Compensation for Limbs Lost in Accidents

1. Medical Expenses. One of the primary forms of compensation available to limb loss victims is coverage for their medical expenses. This includes costs associated with emergency medical treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical care necessary for managing the consequences of the lost limb. It is crucial to ensure that all current and future medical needs are accounted for when seeking compensation.
2. Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Costs. Limb loss often requires extensive rehabilitation and the use of prosthetic devices to restore functionality and independence. Compensation should encompass the expenses related to rehabilitation programs, occupational therapy, prosthetic limbs, assistive devices, adjustments, repairs, and replacements over the course of the victim’s lifetime. Adequate financial support should be sought to cover the evolving needs of lost limb victims in their journey toward recovery.
3. Lost Income and Future Earning Potential. A lost limb can significantly impact an individual’s ability to work and earn a living. Compensation may include the reimbursement of lost income due to time taken off work during recovery, as well as the reduction in future earning capacity caused by the permanent disability. Evaluating the potential income that would have been earned had the accident not occurred is essential in assessing the compensation required to support the victim’s financial stability.
4. Pain and Suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering takes into account the physical and emotional distress experienced as a result of the limb loss accident. This includes the immediate pain endured during the accident and subsequent medical procedures, as well as long-term physical discomfort, limitations, and challenges associated with the loss of a limb. Additionally, the emotional impact, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological trauma caused by the accident and its aftermath are considered in determining appropriate compensation.
5. Emotional Distress. Limbs lost in accidents can have profound psychological effects on individuals and their families. Compensation may be available for emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions resulting from the traumatic experience of losing a limb. Access to necessary counseling, therapy, and support systems should also be considered when seeking compensation for emotional distress.

Seeking comprehensive compensation is essential to help limb loss victims rebuild their lives and ensure they receive the support they need to adapt to their new circumstances.

Consulting with a knowledgeable Denver loss of limb accident attorney is crucial in accurately assessing the full extent of damages and pursuing all available forms of compensation.

By securing fair and just compensation, victims who lost a limb in a car accident can focus on their recovery, rehabilitation, and achieving a fulfilling future despite the challenges they have endured.

Complications Arising from a Lost Limb: Understanding the Consequences

Losing a limb can lead to various complications, including:

• Bleeding: Immediately following a limb amputation, excessive bleeding can occur, posing a significant risk to the individual’s health. Prompt medical attention is crucial to control bleeding and prevent further complications.
• Infection. Amputation sites are vulnerable to infections, which can arise from the initial injury or surgical procedures. Infections can delay the healing process, cause additional tissue damage, and potentially lead to more severe complications if left untreated. Proper wound care and ongoing medical supervision are vital to minimize the risk of infection.
• Shock. The physical and emotional trauma of a lost limb can induce shock, a condition characterized by a severe drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to vital organs. Shock requires immediate medical intervention to stabilize the individual’s condition and prevent life-threatening consequences.

While there have been cases of successful replantation of severed limbs using advanced techniques, it is important to note that this outcome is not always possible or guaranteed.

Factors such as the extent of the injury, the condition of the severed limb, and the time elapsed since the accident significantly influence the feasibility of reattachment.

Additionally, nerve regeneration remains a challenging aspect of this type of treatment, often limiting its effectiveness.

In many instances, individuals who have experienced traumatic limb loss achieve better functional outcomes and improved quality of life with a well-fitting and functional prosthesis compared to attempting replantation of the severed limb.

Prosthetic technology continues to advance, providing individuals with customizable and advanced devices that enable people who lost a limb to regain mobility, independence, and participate fully in their daily activities.

If you have lost a limb in an accident, our team of experienced Denver car accident attorneys is here to assist you.

We understand the complexities of these cases and will fight vigorously on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today to discuss your situation and explore your legal options.

Treatment Options for Lost Limbs

Through a more comprehensive understanding of the management of traumatic amputation and advances in prosthetic technology, the long-term outcomes for amputees have improved dramatically over recent years.

However, advanced treatment comes at a price. Many amputees discover that in addition to the trauma of losing a limb, they are now also faced with mounting medical costs from their treatment.

If you or a loved one has lost a limb due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to bear the financial burden by yourself. You could be entitled to compensation to help cover these expenses.

How Much Does it Cost for a Prosthetic Limb?

The price of a new prosthetic leg can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, and prosthetic arms range anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000. However, the most advanced prosthetic limbs are built to only withstand about 3 to 5 years of use, and the cost of new limbs can really add up over a lifetime.

Each prosthetic limb must be custom fit to every patient, at a significant cost. Once a patient is fitted with a prosthesis, they will face weeks or months of physical therapy.

Costs can vary widely depending on what components are necessary for a prosthetic limb but are roughly equivalent to the cost of a car.

Within a few weeks of physical therapy, amputees may begin using their prosthetic limbs effectively but may require a new prosthesis after the first year to accommodate their changing physique.

Contact a Loss of Limb Attorney at Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers

When you have lost a limb such as an arm or a leg in a car accident, you need an experienced accident lawyer in Denver on your side.

Losing a limb is traumatic and can impact your entire life. You need to be certain you can obtain the money you need to deal with your amputated body part and subsequent disability.

Contact Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers for a free consultation and case evaluation. You pay nothing unless you receive a financial settlement or award. Call our office at (303) 444-4444 or fill out our confidential contact form.

Fuicelli & Lee, PC – Denver Office

1731 Gilpin Street
Denver, CO 80218
P: (303) 444-4444