Los Angeles Amputation Lawyer
An amputation is defined as a traumatic or surgical separation of a limb from the body. A person may develope a condition in a limb that requires amputation, or a traumatic event, such as a car crash, could cause an amputation at the scene of the accident. Sometimes, amputations are caused by a doctor’s or surgeon’s negligence. This most often occurs when a surgeon removes the wrong limb from a patient. When this is the case, it is considered medical malpractice. Any victim of traumatic amputation should speak to a Los Angeles amputation lawyer for help in claiming compensation for resulting losses.
The Costs of AmputationAmputations are different than other injuries that can arise from an accident. They are catastrophic and life-changing for medical malpractice victims. Following the amputation, a victim will need to spend a great deal of time in the hospital, undergoing extensive therapy and rehabilitation. All of this is extremely costly.
Many people choose to wear a prosthetic that can help them with everyday living after losing a limb. These prosthetics can add tens of thousands of dollars to a person’s medical expenses. These are also ongoing expenses, as prosthetics generally need to be replaced every two to six years.
These medical expenses are significant, and victims of medical malpractice often do not know how they are going to pay for them. Added to these costs is the fact that the home of victims must sometimes be renovated and modified to accommodate their injury. Sometimes victims are in wheelchairs, so ramps must be added or shelves and counters must be lowered. When people lose limbs after an accident or incident of medical malpractice, they should speak to a Los Angeles amputation lawyer who can fully evaluate their current and future medical expenses and help them pursue the damages they deserve.
Damages Available in Amputation ClaimsWhen an amputation is a result of medical negligence, patients can hold the surgeon, doctor, or medical facility liable for damages. Medical expenses typically make up the bulk of these damages. However, there are other damages to which patients may be entitled, such as:
- Lost wages: These damages include the initial lost wages, future wages the victim can no longer earn, and a loss of earning capacity if the victim can no longer perform the same type of work.
- Pain and suffering: These are considered non-economic damages and so, they are difficult to quantify. Recovering from an amputation can be extremely painful, and an experienced amputation attorney in Los Angeles can help calculate these damages.
- Emotional distress: Sustaining an amputation as a result of medical malpractice is extremely upsetting. This distress is a loss, and victims can claim compensation for it.
- Loss of consortium: Amputations often prevent people from doing things they once did. When this affects their intimate or familial relationships, they can claim a loss of consortium.
These are just a few of the most common types of damages available. An attorney can help determine the total damages that apply to a specific case.
Our California Medical Malpractice Attorneys can Help with Your CaseIf you have been the victim of an amputation that was a result of medical negligence, you must speak with an amputation attorney in Los Angeles today. At the Brod Law Firm, Markus Willoughby has successfully argued cases that are now considered landmark cases and his approach continues to be taught to attorneys around the country. If you or your loved one has sustained a wrongful amputation, Attorney Willoughby will help make it right and secure the compensation you need. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 to schedule your free consultation so he can review your case.