Chicago Amputation Lawyer

It can be devastating if you have suffered an amputation, and it can have consequences for the rest of your life. You need to contact a Chicago amputation attorney who can represent your rights and defend your interests.

At Conboy Law, we can bat for you if you have an amputation injury. We can pursue compensation on your behalf, so learn more about our services below. Then, reach out to us to schedule a case consultation.

Lawyers Can Recover Compensation for Amputation Injuries

If an insurance company has offered you a settlement, you may be tempted to take that settlement. At the same time, how do you know how much your case is truly worth? 

You probably have medical issues to address, and we can handle the legal issues on your behalf, freeing you up to focus on your medical recovery. At Conboy Law, our Chicago amputation lawyers can review your case and recover compensation for your amputation injuries.

How much compensation do you think you can recover? Call us to schedule a case consultation with our Chicago amputation injury lawyer. We can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you recover all compensation you are entitled to.

Overview of Amputations

An amputation is an injury that results in the permanent loss of a body part. For example, you may know someone who lost an arm or a leg while serving our country overseas or someone who lost an arm or a leg because they were involved in a traumatic accident.

There are even some situations where someone may have to have an arm or leg removed because of a medical condition. For example, they may have a serious infection, and the doctor may decide to remove that limb to prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of the body.

An amputation doesn’t always have to involve an arm or a leg. For example, some people may only lose a finger or a toe, while other people may lose an entire limb.

Types of Amputation

There are several types of amputations that someone may suffer. Some of the most common examples of amputations include:

Traumatic Amputations

A traumatic amputation injury is an amputation that was not planned. For example, someone may be sucked into machinery, losing an arm or a leg. Or, someone may be involved in a serious explosion, losing one or more limbs.

A traumatic injury can be hazardous because it does not occur in a controlled environment. While losing an arm or a leg is not necessarily fatal, it can be fatal if the bleeding does not stop.

Surgical Amputations

A surgical amputation is an amputation that takes place in an operating room. This type of amputation is generally planned but may only be planned for a few minutes. For example, if someone suffers a serious accident but does not lose the entire limb, the doctors will do everything they can to save it.

There might be some situations where the doctors cannot do so, so they decide to remove the limb in an operating room. This is one common example of surgical amputation.

Upper Limb Amputations

An upper limb amputation usually involves the arms. This type of amputation can vary significantly in scope or severity. For example, someone may only lose a hand, while others could lose the entire limb up to the shoulder. Different types of upper limb amputations can significantly impact someone’s quality of life.

Lower Limb Amputations

A lower limb amputation can also be severe. Some people may lose only a few toes, but others may lose the entire leg. An amputation below the knee can significantly preserve someone’s overall quality of life, while an amputation above the knee can lead to significant mobility issues. 

These are just a few of the most common ways an amputation might be categorized. Everyone must seek medical care quickly to preserve as much of the limb as possible.

Most Common Causes of Amputation Injury

There are different causes of amputation injuries. As mentioned above, many people suffer amputations while serving our country overseas. However, there are other ways someone may suffer an amputation. A few common examples include:

Car, Motorcycle, and Bicycle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents of all types can result in traumatic injuries. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, a piece of glass could cut right through your arm, leading to an amputation. Or, you may suffer a crush injury, which can cut off blood flow to a limb. Then, as a result, the doctor may have to remove that limb.

A motorcycle accident can also result in a severe amputation injury. If you are involved in a motorcycle collision, the blood vessels and nerves that supply one of your limbs could be severed. The doctors might be unable to save the limb, and an amputation might be necessary.

Even a bicycle accident can result in amputation if it is serious enough. This is another reason you must contact a doctor immediately if you have been involved in an accident.

Medical Malpractice

Sadly, medical malpractice can lead to amputation as well. Just because you lose a limb in an operating room doesn’t necessarily mean medical malpractice has occurred. However, it is worth investigating. For example, the medical staff may have removed the wrong limb. While this is highly unusual, it happens occasionally and is usually called a wrong-side surgery.

Or, the doctors may have missed something, and your condition may have worsened to the point where an amputation is required. If the medical team had recognized the issue earlier, your limb might have been saved. This is another example of a situation where an amputation could have been avoided.

Regardless of how the amputation happened, you should contact us to schedule a case consultation. We can examine your case to see if you deserve compensation.

Common Complications of Amputations

Some complications can develop if you have had a limb amputated. Some of the most common examples of complications include the following:

• Phantom Limb Pain: This is one of the most well-known complications of amputation, and it refers to the phenomenon where you may have pain in a specific limb that is no longer there. The stumps of the nerves might still be present, and if they are irritated, you may feel like a certain limb is hurting even though it is no longer attached to your body.
• Infection: If the amputation was traumatic, it may not have occurred in a sterile environment. As a result, a serious infection could result, and you may have to spend a lot of time in the hospital. While infections are still possible if a limb is removed surgically, it is significantly less likely.
• Blood Loss: You may also suffer blood loss due to an amputation. To minimize blood loss, the doctor will try to cauterize the blood vessels in an operating room as quickly as possible. If the amputation is traumatic, you may lose a significant amount of blood, and it could predispose you to complications.
• Mental Health Issues: It can be challenging to adjust to life if you have had one or more limbs removed. You may even develop serious mental health issues, significantly impacting your overall quality of life. 

As a result of your amputation, you may have a difficult time continuing to work, and it can cause a significant amount of financial hardship. This is another reason why you should reach out to us to schedule a case consultation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, we can pursue compensation on your behalf. 

Statute of Limitations

You probably have a lot on your mind if you have recently sustained an amputation injury, but you need to reach out to us as quickly as possible.

In Illinois, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and an amputation injury should fall under this category. The statute of limitations might be different if it qualifies as medical malpractice, but this is something that we will discuss with you on a case-by-case basis.

Damages You Can Recover in an Amputation Injury Lawsuit

An amputation injury can have life-changing consequences, both physically and financially. If you have suffered an amputation injury, you may be entitled to recover damages in a lawsuit.

We can pursue two broad types of damages in an amputation injury lawsuit: economic damages and non-economic damages. Some of the most important points you need to keep in mind include: 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible, easily quantified losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. These damages are intended to compensate the injured party for the financial losses they have incurred due to the injury.

For example, the cost of medical treatment for an amputation injury can be significant, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, prosthetic devices, and rehabilitation. These costs can quickly add up, and it is essential to ensure that you are fully compensated for all medical bills related to the injury.

Lost wages are another significant economic damage in an amputation injury case. How will you make ends meet if you are hurt and unable to return to work? You may be entitled to recover compensation for lost wages, including past and future wages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify and compensate for in an amputation injury lawsuit, but they are no less important. These damages are intended to compensate the injured party for non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering.

The physical pain and emotional distress associated with an amputation injury can be overwhelming and long-lasting. Compensation for pain and suffering can help you cope with these challenges and begin to move forward.

Filing an Amputation Lawsuit

If you want to file an amputation lawsuit, contact us to schedule a case consultation as quickly as possible. It can take some time to conduct a full investigation, and we want to ensure that we thoroughly understand how much your amputation may have harmed you. 

Find Out How Our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You

You should not necessarily accept the initial settlement the insurance company offers. Instead, it would be best if you relied on our team to advocate for your rights and defend your interests. We can interview witnesses, review evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and even take your case to trial if we feel you are not receiving a fair settlement.

Schedule a Free Case Consultation With Our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers at Conboy Law

At Conboy Law, we are always here to defend your rights. Count on our team to represent you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your amputation case.