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Amputation Injuries
If you or a loved one are dealing with an amputation injury, I want to give you some hope. Now you, like I, might have grown up with the image of amputation injuries linked to pirates with peg legs and hook hands.
We’ve come a long way since then. Wars have always led to advances in medicine and science. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are no exception. To respond to the needs of veterans who lost legs in IED explosions, doctors and engineers have now developed high tech prosthetics and that progress continues to benefit both veterans and civilians.
Amputation survivors have always been intrepid. Former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme court lost a leg at 20 and through grit and determination rose to Chief Justice while walking on a traditional prosthetic leg. I also know a lawyer in Florida, Bradley Johnston, who lost both legs in a car wreck before he started law school. Bradley is one of the most infectiously optimistic cheerful people I know. He has competed in the Paralympics on the U.S. sailing and volleyball teams and is just an inspiration. Here in Atlanta, Scott Rigsby is a double amputee who has competed in marathons and even the Iron Man Triathlon on high-tech prosthetics. Sometimes on the work, I have seen him out running boot camp groups runs around Buckhead.
Years ago if we represented someone with an amputation injury, we were limited to talking about the effect on income and quality of life and the cost of some low tech prosthetics. Now we can do life care plans that include the cost of replacing those high tech prosthetics that are getting better all the time, 15 to 25 times over a person’s lifetime in order to empower the amputee to overcome that injury and live life to the fullest. I
f you or a loved one are dealing with an amputation injury, give us a call for a free consultation*. I hope we can help.
FAQ – Amputation Injury Lawyer Atlanta
What is an amputation injury?
An amputation injury is when part or all of a limb—like a toe, finger, hand, foot, arm, or leg—is lost. This can happen in a serious accident or during medical treatment.
How do amputation injuries happen in Atlanta?
Most often, amputation injuries come from:
- Car and truck crashes
- Workplace or construction accidents
- Machine or power tool accidents
- Defective product injuries
These accidents make up a large share of amputation cases every year.
What types of amputation injuries are there?
- Partial amputation – only a part of the limb is lost
- Complete or traumatic amputation – the limb is fully severed
- Surgical amputation – done in a hospital to stop infection or disease
What is phantom limb pain?
Phantom limb pain is when you feel pain or movement in a limb that is missing. It’s very common—between 80% and 100% of people experience it.
Can an amputated part be reattached?
Yes, sometimes doctors can reattach a whole or part of a severed limb. Success depends on how fast it’s treated and how the part was kept safe and cool.
What health problems can happen after an amputation?
After an amputation, people may face:
- Infection or wound healing issues
- Bleeding and shock
- Pneumonia or heart problems
- Phantom pain and physical pain
Proper care and rehab are key.
How long does recovery take after an amputation injury?
Recovery varies. It can take months to years to heal, learn to walk or use a prosthetic, and adjust to everyday life.
What can I get paid for after an amputation in Georgia?
In one recent case, our team got our client about $8 million dollars for a leg amputation. The amount that can be recovered for an amputation depends on many factors, especially the amount of insurance or recoverable assets the parties at fault may have. You can’t get blood out of a turnip though we have tried.
Amputation victims in Georgia may be able to get money for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Prosthetic limbs and ongoing therapy
- Lost earnings from work now and later
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Possibly punitive damages if there is “clear and convincing evidence” of “willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or that entire want of care with would raise the presumption of conscious indifference to consequences.” That is a lot worse than mere negligence.
How do I start an amputation injury claim in Georgia?
- Get medical care right away
- Call a lawyer fast. Evidence can disappear fast, especially if it is under control of the party at fault. Georgia generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit from the accident date
- Gather proof—photos, doctor notes, bills, income records
- Your lawyer handles insurance talks or filing a lawsuit.
Do I need a lawyer for an amputation injury case?
Yes. These are serious, complex cases. You need help from attorneys in Atlanta who know how to:
- Show the other party was at fault
- Gather all the necessary evidence
- Identify all available insurance coverages, including those the other side tries to hide.
- Place a value on future medical needs and lost income
- Make sure you don’t accept low settlement offers too soon
How long do amputation injury lawsuits take in Georgia?
Most cases settle without going to trial. Getting to settlement can take months or a couple of years. Less than 5% go all the way to court.
What should I look for in an amputation injury lawyer in Atlanta?
Choose a lawyer who:
- Has experience with amputation or serious injury cases
- Works on a contingency fee (you pay only if they win)
- Offers a free consultation
- Has long and deep experience with Georgia law.
What if my injury happened at work?
You could get workers’ compensation benefits. If someone else was also at fault, you might be able to sue them too.
Next Steps – Speak to Atlanta Amputation Injury Specialists
If you or someone you love lost a limb in an accident in Atlanta, don’t wait. You have a limited time to act. <a href="http://<a>tel: 14042537862Call Johnson & Ward or contact us online for a free talk about your case. Our injury attorneys help with hospital bills, prosthetics needs, income loss, pain, and more.