More than 30,000 traumatic amputations occur every year. Upper limbs account for 65% of traumatic amputations with crush injuries being the most common. Traumatic amputation is a devastating and life altering event that not only leaves the individual with permanent physiological injuries, but the amputee must also cope with the resulting psychological trauma.
The injury often leaves the worker with a loss of the ability to perform at work and impact personal relationships and alteration of body image. A combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation and psychological support are usually successful at returning the amputee to a level of independence.
The legal system is designed to help compensate for the loss and assist the amputee with past and future medical costs, lost wages, and provide some compensation for the substantial human loss. Traumatic amputation lawsuits, however, are complex legal matters and require an attorney with knowledge, experience, and the resources to challenge well funded defendants.
Joe Lyon is an experienced Cincinnati, Ohio catastrophic injury lawyer reviewing workplace injury and auto accident cases for plaintiffs nationwide.
Traumatic Amputation Attorney
Joe Lyon in a highly rated and accomplished Cincinnati Personal Injury with experience working with and successfully litigating cases involving traumatic amputations.
Working on contingency fees and accepting cases nationwide, Joe Lyon understands the medical and economic impact of these devastating injuries and can help you find the answers.
The Lyon Firm is dedicated to representing injured workers and plaintiffs following amputation injuries when defective machinery or negligent workplace management contributes to the accident.
Case Example:
Construction Site Negligence: Catastrophic leg amputation: (Trenton, Ohio) Joe Lyon represented a construction flagger who lost his leg when excavator rolled over him while he was performing flagging duties. Extensive litigation proved that the accident occurred due to negligent design of the construction site –including a lack of signs, organization –negligent training of the driver of the machine, and negligent operation of the machine.
The employers had the injured worker sign workers compensation forms in the hospital to attempt to hide behind workers compensation immunity. The court ruled in favor of Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment that the worker was an independent contractor and applied a general negligence standard.
Joe Lyon obtained a $1,200,000.00 settlement in addition to Worker’s Compensation benefit that provided money to assist the family with additional home structural changes for handicap access and provided for loss of income due to permanent disfigurement and disability.
Causes of Traumatic Amputation
Types of Traumatic Amputations
- Complete Amputation
- Partial Amputation
- Above the Knee Amputation
- Below the Knee Amputation
- Partial Foot Amputation
- Corrosive Amputation
Traumatic Amputation Lawsuits
If the injury occurs in the working environment, the Worker’s Compensation system does not fully compensate workers for such injuries, and other legal remedies should be explored. Provided the burden of proof is met on negligence, Ohio law provides substantial compensation for traumatic amputation injuries.
While Ohio has statutory caps on damages in many cases, those caps do not apply to amputation injuries or to financial or economic damages. The following damages are applicable in most traumatic amputation lawsuits. Each element of damages are assigned a separate value based on the individual’s experience.
- Past Physical Pain and Suffering
- Past Mental Pain and Suffering
- Past loss of enjoyment of lie
- Future Physical Pain and Suffering
- Future Mental Pain and Suffering
- Future loss of enjoyment of life
- Past Medical Expenses
- Future Medical Expenses
- Future Life Care Plan Expenses
- Past Lost Wages
- Future Lost Wage
