
Amputation Injury Attorney in Austin, TX
An amputation alters the course of your entire life. The emotional trauma involved, not to mention the intense physical pain and confusion that can follow, make it difficult to know what steps to take next. Whether you have suffered an industrial accident that has cost you an arm near Burleson Road or you’ve required a medically-necessary amputation following a car accident in Travis Heights, an Austin amputation injury lawyer is here to help you recover compensation.
The Stewart Law Firm: Protecting You After Injury
For decades now, the attorneys at The Stewart Law Firm have been protecting clients’ rights to compensation following personal injuries due to negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. We are here to help you tell your story and are ready to go the extra mile for our clients. Our attorneys aren’t here to settle for quarter justice or even half justice—we are here to get you full justice, and our representation and counsel are something you can trust.
Common Austin Accidents That Lead to Limb Loss
Today, in the United States, over 5.6 million people are currently living with limb loss or limb difference, and nearly 45% of all causes of limb loss trace back to some form of trauma. When your amputation has happened because of the behavior of another party, it is crucial to understand the direct cause of your injury, as this will allow you and your attorney to better identify liability and calculate damages.
In Austin, various accidents and scenarios can lead to tragic injuries like limb loss. The most common of these accidents include:
- Motor vehicle accidents. When vehicles collide, the force of the accident can lead to crushing injuries, severe burns, and serious lacerations, all of which could result in the need for amputation. These forms of major trauma can make the salvage of a limb impossible. One of the most devastating and catastrophic of all motor vehicle accidents is that involving commercial or semi-trucks.
- Defective products. Often happening around large pieces of machinery, when an electrical system fails, safety guards malfunction, or a consumer product is dangerously defective, it can lead to severe injuries. Laws regarding product liability in Texas allow amputation victims to pursue damages from distributors, manufacturers, or designers whose error or negligence led to the injury they are now suffering.
- Workplace or industrial accidents. Places like construction sites, industrial areas, and factories can present severe threats to workers’ lives and limbs. A worker can easily lose a limb in accidents with machinery, when safety regulations are ignored, or during explosions.
- Medical negligence. If you suffer a misdiagnosis, a medication error, or an improper surgical technique, it could result in the loss of a limb.
- Dog bite accidents. Across the United States, 68 million households own at least one dog. While dogs are known to be “man’s best friend,” there are circumstances that arise where even the gentlest of dogs can become dangerous. Often, amputation occurs in dog bite cases as a result of extreme tissue damage or severe infection.
However, if your or your loved one’s amputation occurred, the attorneys at The Stewart Law Firm are here to review your case and pursue the fullest amount of compensation available.
The Long-Term Impacts of Amputations
For most amputees, the long-term consequences of limb loss often extend beyond the physical loss itself. Victims and their families often deal with a range of challenges, which can include:
- Psychological trauma. Many amputation victims will experience some kind of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or difficulty when it comes to adjusting to the limitations caused by their injury.
- Physical disabilities. An amputee is subject to a loss of mobility, the need for consistent and ongoing medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation, and reliance on prosthetics.
- Financial issues. In most cases of amputation, the injuries involved lead to extensive medical bills, ongoing expenses due to necessary prosthetics, home modification, and rehabilitation, and an overall loss of income.
- Changes in daily life. The loss of any limb—even a finger or toe—can impact a victim’s ability to go about their day normally, work, or maintain their relationships.
FAQs
For an amputation injury, there are several damages that can typically be recovered in an injury claim. These damages include all related medical expenses, lost wages, lost employment benefits, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional or mental anguish, psychological trauma, and punitive damages, in rare cases where the negligent party’s actions are determined to be especially egregious.
In Texas, the length of time it takes to settle an amputation claim will depend on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injury, how long it takes you to heal, and whether or not the case goes to trial. When a case goes to trial, it can often take longer than a case that settles outside of the courtroom.
In Austin, the most common forms of amputation include lower limb amputations, such as an amputation of the leg or foot; upper limb amputations, such as an amputation of the hand or arm; trunk amputations, such as an amputation of the leg, arm, foot, or hand; and digit amputations, such as an amputation of a finger or toe.
The lasting effects of amputation can include an overall loss of dexterity and mobility, infection, stump and/or phantom limb pain, fatigue or overall exhaustion, and deep vein thrombosis. A victim may also find themselves dealing with social isolation and body image issues. While these effects may be harder to calculate, they still deserve compensation.
Hire an Amputation Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has sustained an amputation injury in Austin, The Stewart Law Firm is here to act as your legal advocate. When you hire an amputation injury lawyer from our firm, you can rest easy knowing you have the right team working to protect your rights and secure compensation. Contact our offices today to learn more and schedule a consultation.