Alabama Amputation Injury Lawyers

Losing a limb is a life-altering experience that has a profound impact on victims and their families. The medical bills alone are enough to make most households financially insolvent, and the recovery process is long and arduous. At the end of it all, things will never be like they were before the injury. No amount of money can replace a limb that was lost, and the best you can hope for is to adjust to life after the amputation. If you or someone close to you has lost a limb due to the negligence or reckless actions of another party, you deserve to be compensated.

At M. Adam Jones and Associates, we understand what amputees and their families go through, and we provide moral support and strong legal guidance during this difficult time, so you can focus on your recovery. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients who have had amputations and other severe injuries in Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. We have in-depth knowledge of personal injury law, and we have a successful track record with even the most complex cases. We work closely with our clients, and we handle the legal process from A to Z.

With serious injury cases such as amputations, it is important to pursue full and fair compensation, so you are able to adjust financially to your injuries. With this in mind, we thoroughly prepare for trial from the outset. This shows the other side we mean business, and it often motivates them to negotiate a reasonable settlement in order to avoid costly and protracted litigation. All that said, if the other side is not willing to negotiate in good faith, we are ready and able to aggressively pursue full damages at trial and upon appeal.

What Causes Amputation Injuries?

An amputation is the separation of a limb or appendage from the body. Examples include legs, arms, hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Amputations can happen in one of two ways; trauma or surgery. A traumatic amputation is one that occurs during a catastrophic accident. Losing a limb unexpectedly during an accident is one of the most frightening experiences anyone can go through.

Amputations are more common than most people believe. According to Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, at least 30,000 traumatic amputations occur in the United States each year. Approximately 2 million Americans have experienced the loss of a limb, and nearly 25% of them are from traumatic accidents.

There are numerous types of accidents that can cause an amputation injury, some of the most common include:

• Motor Vehicle/Traffic Accidents: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of surgical amputations. This category would include accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and trains.
• Workplace Accidents: Many workers are subjected to dangerous conditions, such as working with machinery at a fast pace. Faulty, malfunctioning, or improperly used machinery can result in workers accidentally having a limb cut off.
• Firearms, Fires, and Explosions: Explosions from IEDs and other combat injuries are the leading cause of accidental amputations. Other types of explosions and fires that happen at work, home, or other places can cause amputation injuries as well. Fireworks accidents and accidental firearm wounds can also be put in this category.
• Caught in-between/crushed by Injuries: Getting a limb crushed or caught in-between an enclosed area is another common cause of an amputation accident. One of the best-known examples of this is when a hand or finger gets caught in a building door or car door.
• Agricultural Accidents: Farmers typically work with heavy machinery and equipment. Sometimes, the safety features on this equipment fails, resulting in the loss of a limb.
• Dangerous or Defective Products: Amputations can be caused by a dangerous consumer product that malfunctions at the wrong time. Examples include lawn mowers, electric saws, and other types of power equipment.

Damages in Amputation Injury Cases

Losing a limb is a debilitating condition that deprives the victim of the ability to function normally. There are numerous tasks that most of us take for granted that amputees may no longer be able to perform. These may include walking, driving, writing, typing, eating, and many others. Treatment for amputation injuries involves both acute and long-term medical care.

In the immediate term, surgery is typically required to stabilize the individual and control their bleeding. Other complications often accompany the injury; such as severe pain, phantom pain (i.e., pain that feels like it’s coming from the limb that is no longer there), musculoskeletal and skin issues, and infections. Long-term care will involve ongoing rehabilitation, limb-wrapping, the use of prosthetic devices, and other necessary and appropriate physical care. Mental health services may also be required to address the emotional and psychological impact of the injury. This may be necessary for both the victim and other family members.

Amputation injury victims may be entitled to damages for:

• Medical Expenses: Hospitalization, treatment, rehabilitation, equipment, and ongoing care.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work to recover from the injury.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injury prevents the victim from returning to their previous job, they should be compensated for loss of future earnings.
• Disability or Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent physical changes resulting from the injury.
• Physical Pain and Suffering: Aches, pains, and other types of physical suffering the victim has to endure.
• Psychological Distress: The emotional trauma of having to live without a body part.
• Diminished Quality of Life: The loss of ability to participate in activities the victim used to enjoy.

If the injury was caused by another party’s reckless actions or omissions and it occurred in Alabama, the claim may become more complicated. In Alabama, meaning an injured party can be barred from recovering compensation if they are determined to be even 1% at fault for the accident. With such a high standard to overcome, it is absolutely critical to work with an attorney who has a proven track record making successful arguments before the courts in these types of cases.

Speak with a Compassionate Alabama Amputation Injury Attorney

At M. Adam Jones and Associates, we understand the enormous physical, emotional, and financial pain amputees and their loved ones endure, and our goal is to make the legal process smooth and seamless. We work tirelessly on your behalf, and we explore every potential legal avenue toward obtaining full and fair compensation for your injuries.

We take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay attorney fees if we win your case.

For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call our office today at 334-699-5599. You may also send us a message through our online contact form.