Common Causes of Amputation Injuries

Accidents that result in the traumatic or medical amputation of body parts are often catastrophic for victims and lead to a lifetime of disability. Amputation injuries happen far more often than many people realize, and the results can be devastating.

Amputations can be caused by many different types of accidents, and if you or a loved one has suffered in an accident where an amputation occurred it is critical that you have the best legal representation for your case.

At the law office of Mitch Grissim & Associates, our team of highly qualified legal professionals is here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free evaluation of your case.

Traffic Accidents

One of the most common causes of amputation injuries is traffic accidents. This includes accidents involving cars, commercial trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. The speed and force of impact on a victim involved in a traffic accident can easily lead to the traumatic amputation of a body part or extremity.

Traumatic amputation in a traffic accident can include arms, fingers, hands, legs, feet, toes, and ears. If the traumatic impact of the crash does not cause an amputation, healthcare professionals might deem it medically necessary to amputate a body part that has been irrevocably destroyed.

Workplace and Construction Site Accidents

Workplace accidents, and in particular construction site accidents, also cause a number of amputation injuries every year. Falls, crushing accidents, equipment malfunction, and more can all lead to the traumatic loss of a body part. Of the roughly two million people in the United States that live with limb loss, nearly one-quarter of the amputations were due to a traumatic accident.

Firearms or Explosive Accidents

Accidents involving firearms, explosives, and fireworks also cause many amputation injuries. In many cases, these types of amputation accidents lead to the loss of fingers, hands, and upper limbs.

Firearms, explosive, or fireworks accident can happen because of operator inexperience, negligence on the part of another party, or from a product defect. Nearly eighty percent of all amputation accidents occur to males, and around seventy percent of all traumatic amputations involve the upper limbs.

Electrocution Accidents

Finally, electrocution accidents cause many amputation injuries annually. Many people do not realize that electrocution can lead to the amputation of body parts or limbs. Electrocution accidents happen more often at construction sites but also happen frequently in the home and on the premises of others.

The high voltage of electricity passing through the body can cause burns so severe that medical amputation is required or can lead to the spontaneous traumatic amputation of body parts as the electricity is passing through the body.

Neoplasms

Neoplasms, or tumors, are abnormal masses of tissue that can occur in any part of the body. In some cases, these tumors can cause an amputation injury. Traumatic amputations can occur when a tumor is located in an area of the body that is difficult to remove without causing significant damage to the surrounding tissue.

This can lead to the need for a surgical amputation to remove the tumor and to prevent it from spreading. In some cases, traumatic amputations may also be necessary to save a person’s life.

Surgical amputations are often done when a tumor is located in an area of the body that is difficult to reach with traditional medical treatments.

In general, surgery is recommended when the tumor is too large or too deep to be removed without causing significant damage to the surrounding tissue. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, the surgeon may need to remove the entire limb or just part of it.

In addition to traumatic amputations and surgical amputations, neoplasms can also lead to the need for an amputation injury in some cases. For example, a malignant tumor can spread to the surrounding tissue, which can lead to tissue damage and the need for an amputation.

In some cases, the spread of the tumor may be too far advanced to be able to treat it with traditional medical treatments, thus requiring the patient to undergo surgery to remove the affected limb.

In all cases, it is important for patients to receive prompt medical care if they experience any symptoms of a neoplasm. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to minimize the risk of amputation injury and can improve the patient’s overall prognosis.

Anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of a neoplasm should seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome.

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of limb amputations. High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to decreased blood flow and sensation in the feet. This can result in ulceration, infection, and gangrene which can necessitate amputation. Diabetics with poor circulation are more likely to undergo a traumatic amputation due to trauma or infection, while those with better circulation may require surgical amputation. People with diabetes are also more likely to suffer from other conditions such as peripheral artery disease and Raynaud’s disease, both of which can cause an amputation injury.

Infection/Sepsis

When an infection occurs, it can lead to tissue necrosis or the death of tissue due to a lack of blood supply. This can cause the injured limb to become infected, which can lead to the need for a traumatic amputation. An infected limb may be removed in cases where the infection is too severe or if the limb is too damaged to be salvaged.

Traumatic amputations due to infection or sepsis can be serious and may require extensive medical care. In some cases, the affected limb may need to be removed to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the body.

In addition, the individual may need to undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation to help them adjust to life with a prosthetic limb. In some cases, the individual may also be able to file personal injury claims for the amputation injury.

Infection and sepsis can also lead to the need for surgical amputation. This type of amputation is usually done when the infection is too advanced or if the limb is too damaged to be salvaged. Depending on the severity of the infection, the surgeon may need to remove the entire limb or just part of it.

As with these injuries, the individual may need to undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation to help them adjust to life with a prosthetic limb.

In all cases, it is important for individuals to seek prompt medical care if they experience any symptoms of an infection or sepsis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to minimize the risk of an amputation injury and can improve the patient’s overall prognosis.

Anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of an infection or sepsis should seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome.

Congenital Limb Deficiency

Congenital limb deficiency is a disorder that occurs when a baby is born without all of its limbs or with limbs that are malformed. In some cases, the affected baby may require amputation surgery in order to function normally.

Amputation victims may require lower limb amputation or upper limb amputation, depending on the severity of the condition. In some cases, a partial foot amputation may also be necessary.

Lower limb amputations occur when the lower leg or foot is removed, either partially or completely. This type of amputation is typically done when the limb is too severely deformed or damaged to be salvaged.

The surgery can be performed on babies as young as a few months old. Following the procedure, the individual may need to undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to learn how to adapt to life with a prosthetic limb.

Upper limb amputations occur when the arm or hand is removed, either partially or completely. This type of amputation is typically performed when the limb is too severely deformed or damaged to be salvaged.

The surgery can be performed on babies as young as a few months old. Following the procedure, the individual may need to undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to learn how to adapt to life with a prosthetic limb.

Partial foot amputations occur when the toes or part of the foot is removed. This type of amputation is typically done when the limb is too severely deformed or damaged to be salvaged.

The surgery can be performed on babies as young as a few months old. Following the procedure, the individual may need to undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to learn how to adapt to life with a prosthetic limb.

Congenital limb deficiency can cause serious long-term physical and psychological effects on the individual. Amputation victims may require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation to help them cope with their disability and to ensure that their quality of life is as high as possible. It is important for individuals to seek medical attention and legal representation if they or their loved one has been affected by a congenital limb deficiency.

Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Chronic inflammatory diseases can also lead to limb amputations. Inflammation in the body can damage blood vessels, nerves, and bones, leading to decreased blood flow and sensation in the feet. This can cause ulceration, infection, and gangrene, which can necessitate amputation. People with chronic inflammatory diseases may also be more likely to suffer from other conditions such as peripheral artery disease and Raynaud’s disease, both of which can cause an amputation injury. In these cases, the patient may need to undergo surgery to amputate the limb to prevent further damage and complications.

Personal Injury Lawyer

In cases where an amputation injury is caused by the negligence of another person or entity, it is important for the affected individual to seek legal representation. A personal injury lawyer can provide the legal advice and representation necessary to pursue a claim for compensation for the traumatic injury and any other damages suffered as a result.

A personal injury lawyer can help the individual to document and establish the liability of the responsible party. They can also help to negotiate a fair settlement and ensure that the individual receives the financial compensation that they deserve. In addition, a personal injury lawyer can provide the legal guidance and support necessary to navigate the complex legal system.

It is important to note that personal injury cases can be complex and time-consuming. As such, it is important to find an experienced and qualified personal injury lawyer who can provide the best possible representation.

A good lawyer will be familiar with the laws governing personal injury cases and will be committed to fighting for the rights of their clients. Additionally, they will be familiar with the various legal strategies that can be used to help maximize the damages that can be recovered.

By obtaining a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer, individuals can be assured that they are taking the appropriate legal steps to ensure that they receive the compensation that they deserve for the amputation injury that they have suffered.

When an amputation occurs, it can range from smaller portions of limbs to an entire leg. Common amputation complications can include infection, gangrene, and physical and psychological trauma.

Call or Contact Us Now

Amputation injuries often require extensive medical treatment and a lifetime of care, which is why it is important that amputation victims hire the best to represent their legal claims. To learn more about how our office is prepared to represent your case, call or contact Mitch Grissim & Associates today to schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled Nashville amputations lawyer.