Traumatic Amputations in WA

Kennewick Traumatic Amputation Lawyers

Experienced representation for WA clients facing limb loss after an injury

Amputation injuries are traumatic for numerous reasons. You wake up every day knowing a part of your body is missing. Strangers are likely to stare. It’s hard doing just about everything. Amputations are especially terrifying when they’re completely unexpected – when a car accident literally severs your leg or amputation is required after an accident to save your life.

There is hope. At Telaré Law, our Kennewick traumatic amputation lawyers work with your doctors, therapists, and others to understand your medical, personal, emotional, and financial needs. Our lawyers spend time with you and your family to understand your fears, concerns, and wishes. We are respected by clients, adjusters, lawyers, and judges throughout Southeast Washington for our ability to obtain justice for our clients. We handle the tough cases – the catastrophic cases – where lives are changed permanently. Call today to get started.

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Telaré Law PLLC in WA

How can we help?

What is a traumatic amputation?

The general definition of the term “amputation” means removing part or all of a limb. The University of Washington Medicine’s Orthopeadics and Sports Medicine Department offers this more robust definition:

Amputation is an extraordinarily broad term, covering the entire range of body-part loss. It covers the loss of part of a finger to an entire arm to chest-wall level, and from the loss of a toe all the way to the entire leg or pelvic area….

The term ‘amputation’ is typically used to describe the removal of all or part of a limb, but technically it is more precise to reserve this term for the process of limb removal by dividing through one or more of the bones. The term ‘disarticulation’ is more precise for the process of removing a limb between joint surfaces.

Traumatic amputation injuries occur without warning. Sometimes the injury is so severe that you lose your limb at the accident site. All the doctors can do is help shape the limb so that it can be fitted for a prosthesis. Other traumatic amputation injuries occur when the victim’s limb is attached and the victim can be taken to the ER, but the doctors need to remove the limb to save the patient from dying.

What types of accidents cause amputation?

Traumatic personal injuries are usually due to violent forces, such as those associated with:

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Crushing injuries
  • Falls from heights
  • Firearm accidents
  • Defective products
  • Electrocution and electrical shocks
  • Construction site accidents
  • Agricultural accidents

In some cases, however, amputation becomes necessary because of an untreated infection, or to reduce the spread of tissue necrosis. Some may be the result of medical malpractice. Our Kennewick attorneys can help if you believe a negligent healthcare professional caused you harm.

What you should know about amputation surgeries

There are different considerations for preserving upper and lower extremities, according to UW Medicine. For example, the upper extremity isn’t used for weight-bearing and needs minimal sensation to function. In contrast, salvaging a lower limb is much more difficult. With both upper and lower extremity amputations, there are different amputation levels and techniques. The general aim is to provide the fasting healing possible and the best shaping of the stump to fit a prosthesis.

Unlike many other surgeries that are judged by how well the wound heals, traumatic amputation surgeries are generally judged by the ability of the accident victim to use a prosthesis. The prosthesis is necessary to restore the function of the limb.

How does the surgery affect my ability to be fitted with a prosthesis?

Normally, the accident victim will be fitted with a temporary prosthesis until the wound fully heals. There’s no logic to a complete prosthesis while the muscles are readapting, and the limb is changing shape and volume. The temporary prosthesis can restore some function and help the victim physically and mentally. When the healing phase is complete, the victim will be fitted for a permanent prosthesis.

Traumatic amputees often suffer more swelling and more volume changes than diabetic amputees or other types of non-traumatic amputees. Most victims will be fitted with several prostheses during their lifetimes, as the technology improves, and the devices suffer from wear and tear.

A few FAQs about using a prosthesis

Amputees will have numerous questions about using a prosthesis to regain function in their limb. Our Kennewick traumatic amputation lawyers work with medical professionals who can answer your questions if your own doctors can’t. The Amputee Coalition provides answers to some common questions:

  • Why do I need a prosthesis? A prosthesis is an artificial limb replacement that helps amputees gain some function. You may need a prosthesis to help you walk, drive, or pick items up.
  • Is each prosthesis unique? Each prosthesis is individually designed to fit a patient’s needs and functional goals. Upper-limb prosthesis may have a specialized tool to help you grasp or carry items. Lower-limb prostheses have a foot feature to aid in walking. Newer prosthetics have microprocessors and other features to enhance integrating your prosthetic with the rest of your body, and to increase the functional use of your limb.
  • What’s the cost of a prosthesis? The cost of the prosthesis depends on numerous factors, but it is important to remember that they will eventually wear out, and that young traumatic amputation victims will outgrow their initial prosthetics. At Telaré Law, we work with your medical team to properly value the cost of the prosthesis, including maintenance and replacements.

What is phantom pain?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, almost every amputee experiences phantom limb sensations and phantom pain. The cause is not yet understood. It’s believed that the “the remaining nerve connections in the spinal cord and brain ‘remember’ the body part, and can cause a compelling sensation that it is still there (phantom limb syndrome) or severe pain (phantom pain syndrome).”

Surgeons focus on the remaining nerves during the operation to try to reduce the severity of the phantom pain. Unfortunately, for many amputees, it is a lifelong repercussion.

Are their support groups near Kennewick?

Most amputation victims lose confidence. They have numerous worries about the life they’ll be able to have, financial concerns, and concerns about their family. Amputees commonly worry about how people view them. Support groups can help.

The Tri-Cities Amputee Support Group is located in Richland. You can call 509.531.0120 or email the group to find more information.

How much is my traumatic amputation case worth?

There is no way to determine the worth of a case without reviewing your medical records, events surrounding your accident, your work history and finances, and other mitigating factors. However, in any catastrophic injury case in Washington, you can seek damages for:

  • Medical bills and associated expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
  • Pain and suffering, both physical and mental
  • Loss of companionship (consortium) with your spouse or partner
  • Property damages

Because the statute of limitations for injury claims in Washington is three years, you want contact Team Telaré as quickly as possible. The sooner we can get started on your case, the better. And as there may be times when the statute of limitations is shorter than expected, you do not want to delay.

Telaré Law PLLC in Washington

Do you have a traumatic amputation lawyer near me?

If you lose an arm, leg, hand, or foot – or any limb or appendage – Telaré Law is ready to help. We have an office in Kennewick at 819 South Auburn St. We also meet clients in Richland. If you have mobility issues or difficulty coming to our office – we do see clients at their homes or the hospital.

Obtain the help you need from a seasoned Kennewick traumatic amputation attorney

At Telaré Law, we understand how worried you are. We understand your fears. Our Kennewick trial lawyers will calmly and clearly guide you through each phase of the litigation process. We work aggressively to show that the defendants caused your injuries. We demand compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. In amputation cases, we also demand compensation for your functional losses and your disfigurement.

To assert your right to compensation, call our Kennewick traumatic amputation lawyers at 509-737-8500 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We’ll work to negotiate the strongest recovery possible. We represent traumatic amputation victims on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers represent accident victims who live in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.