A Wisconsin car accident can result in a serious, life-changing injury for some accident victims. In a catastrophic accident, an amputation injury can occur in one of two ways. First, an arm, hand, finger, leg, foot or toe may be severed in the collision and may be impossible for surgeons to reattach. Second, and more commonly, an injury to an arm or hand, leg or foot may be simply too great to fix. In these situations car accident victims, their loved ones, and their doctors are faced with the very difficult decision of deciding whether to amputate the limb.
Making the Decision
Excessive bleeding, shock, or infection can threaten your life after a car crash. Accordingly, medical staff may, as a last resort, suggest amputation in order to save your life. While you are grateful to have survived the accident, you are left with a lifelong disability that required extensive medical care, that will require ongoing medical care, and that has profoundly and permanently changed your life.
Life After an Amputation
Your life after an amputation injury can be productive and happy; however, it will likely be different in many ways from the life you led prior to the car accident. Specifically, you may now:
- Attend more medical appointments.
- Need assistive devices, such as crutches or prosthetics.
- Need assistance around the house or on outings.
- Need accommodations at work, need to change jobs, or be unable to work.
- Have difficulty doing the things you once enjoyed.
The support of your family, friends, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, other people with similar injuries, and others may be invaluable as you adjust to life with an amputation injury.
Recovering Damages for a Wisconsin Car Accident Amputation Injury
If the negligent or intentional actions of another driver caused your amputation then you may be entitled to legal damages for your past, current, and future…
- Medical expenses: These include hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, doctors’ appointments, rehabilitation therapies, assistive devices and more.
- Lost income: Any wages, benefits, or income that you are unable to earn because of your amputation injury is compensable.
- Out-of-pocket costs: These may include property damage, assistance around the house, modifications to your home and other expenses.
- Emotional pain and physical suffering: This category may be among the most substantial costs of your injury.
- Any other losses that you incur as a result of the accident and your resulting injury.
This may be a significant amount of money because of the serious injury you incurred. You should not expect that the insurance company or the other driver will simply give you fair compensation, even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Instead, you are going to have to fight for these damages. You are going to have to present evidence and convincing arguments as to why you are entitled to the fair and equitable damages you claim.
However, you don’t have to do it alone. You have the right to hire an experienced Milwaukee car accident lawyer to help you get the damages that you deserve. For more information about your recovery and about how a lawyer can help you, please start a live chat with us now.
Have You Been Injured In A Wisconsin, Illinois or Iowa Car Accident?
If you've been injured in a car accident you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can contact us online or call our office directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers. We have been helping car accident victims since 1964 and service clients throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.