New York City Amputation Lawyer
Life the way one knows it is forever changed when falling victim to an amputation- the removal of an injured or diseased body part. Whether you were involved in a serious accident or are the victim of medical malpractice, an amputation is a catastrophic, life-changing and permanent injury. Besides the emotional toll of losing a body part, the financial costs to accommodate an amputee victim’s current and future needs are immense.
If you or a loved one has fallen victim to an amputation as a result of someone else’s negligence, you will need an amputation lawyer to help you secure the compensation you not only deserve but which you will also need in order to facilitate the transition to your new lifestyle and beyond. The amputation lawyers at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. have the expertise, experience, and penchant for representing victims of amputation injuries.
If you are looking for an amputation lawyer we can help
Amputee injuries are some of the most complex and the amputation lawyers at our firm have the experience and expertise that you both want and need. While the two most common causes of amputations involve traumatic injuries or medical malpractice, amputations resulting from someone else’s negligence can, in fact, encompass multiple areas of personal injury law:
- Product Liability – For example, a defective product or medication that inhibits blood circulation can cause the need for an amputation.
- Car Accident – For example, a limb may be crushed or burned beyond repair and cannot be saved.
- Surgical Error – For example, removing the wrong body part, or negligently severing the blood flow to a body part during surgery.
- Medical Negligence – For example, failure to detect an infection.
At Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C., we have attorneys who focus on all of these practice areas. We understand that the adjustment to life after an amputation is both emotionally taxing and financially expensive. We can advocate for you and help you target those responsible for your injury.
If you or a loved one has fallen victim to an amputation injury due to someone else’s negligence, attorneys at our firm can help you secure the compensation needed in order to most effectively rehabilitate, adjust to your new lifestyle, and prepare for future expenses. With our support, experience, and extensive resources, we can represent you to the fullest potential.
OUR RESULTS
- $7.1 million for a bus injuring a cyclist, resulting in a below-the-knee amputation.
- $5.5 million settlement in a case involving a motorcyclist who was hit and dragged by a truck, resulting in the amputation of one leg above the knee.
- $5 million settlement for our client who was run over by a NYCTA bus which failed to yield right of way, resulting in a below-the-knee amputation.
- $5 million recovered for our client who suffered a below-the-knee amputation as a result of being struck down by a NYCTA bus making a right turn at an intersection.
- $4.3 million settlement for our client who was injured in a motor vehicle accident and whose leg was subsequently amputated from the knee down.
- $4 million recovered for our client who fell victim to an above-the-knee amputation of the right leg and a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg as a result of a beam falling on both of his legs during demolition work.
- $1.5 million verdict in a case involving the amputation of the lower leg as a result of a surgeon’s failure to diagnose a vascular condition prior to performing minor foot surgery.
- $1 million settlement for our client who fell victim to an above-the-knee amputation as a result of being pinned between two vehicles when an under-insured cab rear-ended the van from which our client was unloading baggage.
CAUSES OF AMPUTATION
From the partial removal of a body part to the full separation of a limb, two common causes of amputations are traumatic injuries and poor medical treatment.
Traumatic Amputation
The removal of a body part, such as an arm or a leg, which occurs as a result of a serious accident, is known as a “traumatic amputation.” Nearly 45% of all amputations occur as a result of serious injuries. Traumatic amputations can result from:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Airplane accidents
- Truck accidents
- Burns from fire or explosions
- Electrical or chemical burns
- Machinery accidents, including workplace
Medical Malpractice
Poor circulation and insufficient blood flow denies the body’s cells the oxygen and the nutrients needed for healthy functioning. When blood and oxygen is prohibited from reaching the body’s cells, tissue may die and infections may ensue. Infection on the affected body part can spread to other parts of the body. As a result, the affected body part needs treatment and sometimes, the outcome is amputation. Amputation as a result of medical malpractice can result from:
- Insufficient monitoring of blood flow
- Failure to prescribe the proper antibiotics to fight infection
- Failure to recognize or treat post-operative blood clots
- Misdiagnosis of a medical condition, resulting in the spread of infection
- Removal of the wrong body part
RECOVERY AFTER AMPUTATION INJURY
Adjusting to life after losing a limb can be a difficult, long process. Not only is it emotionally burdensome, but the financial costs are high. Future financial costs to help you adjust to your new body image include, but are not limited to:
- Additional hospitalizations related to the amputation
- Outpatient visits to doctors
- Physical therapy
- Exercises to improve muscle strength
- Emotional counseling
- Changes to make your living situation more adaptable/accessible to your new lifestyle
- Prosthesis (artificial limbs)
PROSTHESIS
Many amputee victims opt for prosthesis, an artificial replacement for a missing limb or part of a limb that not only restores some semblance of normalcy, but also functions as a tool to facilitate the journey to regain independence after an amputation. While prosthesis is a great option after an amputation, it comes at a high price. For example, a prosthetic leg can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. Moreover, prosthetic limbs need to be changed after three to five years, due to wear and tear. This means that prosthetic limbs are a life-long, recurring expense.