The loss of a limb can have a major impact on your life. It’s estimated that 50,000 people suffer from some sort of amputation injury in the United States each year. The most common kinds of amputations involve the loss of a finger or a hand; the loss of an arm is the next most common type of amputation injury.
The lawyers at our Billings work-related injury law firm know how these kinds of incidents can impact your career as well as the overall course of your life. We’d like to take a moment to explore these issues in more detail.
Catastrophic Accidents at Construction Sites
Construction sites and industrial workplaces are locations in which catastrophic accidents can occur. Whether it’s a serious fall or incident with heavy machinery and equipment, these kinds of accidents can have a lasting impact on a person and their quality of life.
Potential Causes of the Loss of a Limb
Some potential causes of the loss of amputation injuries include:
- Major falls
- Falling objects
- Vehicle and heavy equipment accidents
- Accidents involving power tools and machines
- Limbs getting pinched between objects
- Limbs getting crushed by heavy objects
Medical Treatment and Prostheses
If you lose a limb, undergoing emergency medical care is crucial to stopping the bleeding and preventing further issues beyond the loss of a limb. If the limb cannot be reattached, you may wish to consider a prostheses, which can help restore some use and function to that part of the body. Whether you receive a prostheses or not, your life will be dramatically impacted in a number of ways.
How the Loss of a Limb Affects Your Career
The loss of a limb may lead to a major change in your career trajectory. Even with a sophisticated prosthetic limb, you may not be able to accomplish certain tasks involving grip and fine manipulation that you used to take for granted. The total loss of an arm or a leg can severely limit your abilities, for instance, requiring you to start a new career. This can be costly and can take a great deal of time.
How the Loss of a Limb Affects Your Daily Life
Losing a limb often means a major change to the way you go about your day. Cooking, cleaning, and simply getting around can pose new challenges because of the loss of a limb. If you lead an active lifestyle, you may need to take time to adjust to the loss of your limb and how to resume your normal activities. Playing with children or loved ones can be more difficult as well, which can impact your general sense of pleasure in simple tasks.
Holding the Negligent Party Accountable
These kinds of injuries can be costly at a financial and personal level, which is why it’s important to hold the responsible party accountable for the incident if it was caused by poor safety standards, inattention, or negligence.
An experienced construction accident attorney can help guide you through the litigation process, seeking damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of physical therapy/rehabilitation. This legal counsel and assistance can prove invaluable as you get used to the new realities you face in the present and the future.
Contact Murphy Law Firm
For more information about your legal rights and options following a catastrophic injury, be sure to speak with an experienced construction accident and work injury attorney today. We at Murphy Law Firm are here to help you in your time of legal need.