Types of Compensation, Including Prosthetics Following Traumatic Amputation
After losing a limb, a person not only experiences several physical changes, but they also experience changes in their jobs and careers, mental and emotional health, engagement in activities, and daily life going forward.
As a result, they typically need time to mourn their losses and accept their new reality. While no amount of money can ever give them their limb or old life back, holding the responsible parties accountable and obtaining compensation for their damages may help them cope with their new circumstances and gain a sense of closure after suffering such a personal injury.
Ten types of compensation following traumatic amputation in Huntsville, AL
Traumatic amputations can be very expensive injuries. This is because most people who suffer traumatic amputations have life-long effects, resulting in costly bills and expenses. The Amputee Coalition estimates that those with traumatic amputations typically spend more than $500,000 in medical costs during their lifetimes. Therefore, filing a claim and seeking compensation to help you pay for your losses can be very beneficial. The following are ten types of losses that you may be able to obtain compensation for:
- Medical bills: Medical bills after a traumatic amputation can be extremely costly. These usually accumulate from emergency room visits, overnight hospital stays, surgeries, in-home health care, doctor’s visits, medications and prescriptions, and more. Most people cannot afford to pay for their medical-related bills out of pocket, which is why it is essential to obtain compensation to help cover at least a portion of these costs.
- Lost income: Many individuals with traumatic amputations cannot work or earn income. If they can eventually return to work, they may need to take a lower-level position, which could result in a pay cut. Therefore, they may need to obtain compensation to help them pay for the income that they have already lost and will lose in the future. They may also be able to secure compensation to cover the difference in their earnings if they accept lower pay or need to look for a different job.
- Home and vehicle modifications: It is not uncommon for individuals with traumatic amputations to need home and vehicle modifications. This helps make their homes and vehicles more accessible to them and provides a sense of independence. For example, if an individual has an amputated leg, they may rely on a wheelchair to help them get around. If this is the case, they may need wider doorways, lower cabinets, lower countertops, a walk-in shower, a ramp, and more. Regarding their vehicle, they may need hand controls installed, support handles, a deeper floorboard, a ramp, and more.
- Prosthetic devices: Some people think that prosthetics are one-time fees. However, these devices actually incur many different costs over the individual’s lifetime. For example, there are costs involved in sizing a prosthetic, maintaining the device, having the device adjusted, and replacing it if it no longer fits or provides assistance to the wearer. A prosthetic leg costs between $5,000 and $70,000, and you typically need a new one every three to five years.
- Assistive medical devices and equipment: Other medical devices and equipment that a person with a traumatic amputation may need and depend on are crutches, wheelchairs, canes, scooters, and more. These devices and equipment can help the individual get around, accomplish certain tasks, and become involved in activities again.
- Rehabilitation fees: Physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments are essential to an accident victim’s recovery. These appointments can help a person with a traumatic amputation learn how to do certain things or carry out specific tasks in a new way. For example, physical therapy may help the individual focus on maintaining or gaining more strength in other areas of their body, while occupational therapy may help them learn new ways to get dressed, take a shower, cook, feed themselves, and more. However, these appointments usually last the rest of the individual’s life, meaning they will continue accumulating.
- Psychiatry and counseling expenses: Amputees can develop severe mental and emotional conditions. This is because they go through many changes very fast and have to accept their new reality quickly, and it can feel like no one understands what they are going through. As a result, they may develop depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, sleep disorders, phobias, and suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it is common for amputees to need to attend psychiatry or counseling appointments for the remainder of their lives.
- Transportation to and from appointments: Transportation to and from appointments can become expensive. However, it may be necessary for the accident victim to receive top-notch medical care to help them move forward with their lives. This may include hotel costs, train costs, car rental costs, gas, tolls, airplane tickets, and more.
- Chronic pain: A common part of losing a limb is phantom limb pain. This is a type of recurring pain that amputees feel in the limb that was amputated. While most people believe that you cannot feel anything in a limb that is no longer there, phantom pain is very real and can affect the individual’s life in many ways.
- Loss of quality of life: When an individual loses a limb, their quality of life diminishes. This is because they can no longer participate in the same activities, carry out their daily routine, accomplish the same tasks and duties, work or hold the same job title, and more. A few examples of how various individuals’ quality of life can negatively change after a traumatic amputation are a person who is passionate and made a life-long and successful career out of painting lost their arm and can no longer paint, a retired grandmother who spends every weekend with her grandchildren lost her arm and can no longer hold any of her grandchildren or tend to their needs, and a soccer player who has spent years training to become a champion soccer player lost his leg and can no longer play.
The Huntsville personal injury attorneys at Martin & Helms have more than 25 years of experience helping clients faced with the consequences of traumatic amputations. While you may feel lost, confused, and hopeless right now, our team is here to guide you through the entire legal process, inform you of your rights, handle the ins and outs of your claim, and demand the compensation you deserve. We work endlessly to secure the financial recovery you need to cover all the expenses caused by your amputation. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation to begin discussing with one of our lawyers today. We serve clients in Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Athens, and other areas in North Alabama.
Attorney Tara Helms has represented injured individuals and their families in a wide range of personal injury and wrongful death claims, including car accidents and truck accidents, workplace accidents, and more. Contact Martin & Helms now.