Maryland Attorney for On-the-Job Leg Amputation/Loss

Losing a leg is a very serious injury. You can easily bleed out and die if you do not get medical treatment immediately. Recovering from losing a leg on the job is not easy, either. Relearning how to walk on crutches or a prosthetic leg can take a great deal of time. Phantom pain from the lost limb is also a possibility. This does not even factor the cost of treatment into the equation.

An attorney can help you get the compensation you need after an on-the-job amputation injury. Suing a negligent party can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Our experienced lawyers can help you throughout the process. Do not hesitate to get legal help.

Get a free case review from our on-the-job leg amputation lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Causes of On-The-Job Leg Amputation in Maryland

Many work injuries can result in leg amputation. The leg does not necessarily need to be lost at the time of the injury. In some cases, the decision to amputate happens later after consultation with doctors in a hospital setting.

Cutting/Shearing Injuries

A sharp object moving at high speed is probably the most likely thing to cause traumatic amputation. Mechanically powered industrial knives, drills, and saws can sever limbs if they are not maintained or operated properly.

Stuck/Trapped in Machinery

A limb caught in industrial equipment can be injured beyond repair and require amputation. Conveyor belts, construction vehicle treads, and other moving parts all pose a danger for legs to get caught and suffer extremely traumatic injuries. Rotating equipment can also grab hold of limbs or clothing and cause severe injuries.

Crush Injuries

Hydraulic presses and other heavy machinery can crush limbs beyond the point of repair. The bone structure and muscles may be too thoroughly damaged in these kinds of crush injuries. While the limb might not be removed by the accident, surgical amputation could be the only viable treatment option.

Damages From an On-the-Job Leg Amputation in Maryland

In a legal context, “damages” refers to the injury for which you are trying to get recompense from the defendant as well as the money payments made to compensate you. You need to have suffered an injury to recover damages, otherwise, there is no reason to go to court.

Aside from the obvious loss of the actual limb, there are other complications and expenses after a workplace amputation injury that you can seek damages for.

Phantom Pain

A common condition for amputees is so-called “phantom limb” sensations or “phantom pain.” Phantom limb pain is a condition where the amputee feels pain or other sensations from the limb that is no longer there. Sometimes the pain is minor, but it can be intense or even debilitating.

The causes of phantom limb pain are not fully understood, but the theory, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is that the pain comes from the brain trying to send signals to the missing limb, and when those signals fail to reach the limb, the nervous system makes you feel pain.

Phantom limb pain can last for months or even years after amputation. Additionally, nerve damage may be permanent, and you may be left with lifelong discomfort.

Inability to Work

Losing a leg can hinder your ability to do certain jobs. If you work a physically demanding job, like construction, you might not be able return to work until you fully recover from your injuries or receive a prosthetic – or you may be unable to return to the same job at all. In some cases, you might need to take a less lucrative position after losing a leg.

A court of law can compensate you for lost earnings during your recovery as well as lost future earning potential.

Lost Enjoyment of Life

You might be unable to do all the activities you used to after losing a leg. If you had an active lifestyle or played a sport before amputation, you might only be able to do those things once you recover, and often never to the same capacity. In the short term, even mundane daily activities could be difficult to accomplish while recovering. You might even require professional medical assistance while you recover.

Courts can award damages for lost enjoyment of life. However, because concepts like “enjoyment” are abstract, what these damages are worth often needs to be argued in court.

Prosthetics

Many people who have had limbs amputated later get prosthetic limbs. Modern technology has made leaps and bounds in the field of prostheses, so the good news is that a prosthetic limb could greatly restore your quality of life.

Unfortunately, prosthetics are not without downsides. Advanced prosthetics can be incredibly expensive, and all prosthetics will require intense, immersive training to use effectively. If you required a prosthetic after amputation, you could be compensated for that by the court.

Can You Sue Your Employer for On-the-Job Leg Amputation/Loss in Maryland?

Worker’s Compensation is the sole remedy for many injury claims, but some circumstances will make it so that you are able to sue certain parties anyway. Discussing your case with our on-the-job amputation lawyers can help figure out who exactly you should take to court.

Most of the time, your employer will not be able to be sued because of Workers’ Compensation. However, certain circumstances make it so you can sue them. For example, intentional actions are not covered by worker’s compensation, allowing victims to sue. Although it is unlikely, if your employer intentionally tried to injure your leg such that it needed to be amputated, you could have a claim against them. There are other exceptions, such as suing a third party, that our lawyers can help with.