Richland Traumatic Amputation Lawyers
Representation for limb loss injury victims in WA
Some accidents are so horrific that a vehicle accident victim or victim of a construction accident loses an arm or a leg. The limb may be torn off immediately, or the limb may need to be severed during surgery in order to save the victim’s life. While physicians work their best to save as much of your arm or leg as possible, most amputation operations focus on saving enough so that the victim can use a prosthetic. Victims of traumatic amputation accidents need to cope with the physical loss and the emotional loss of the limb.
At Telaré Law, our Richland traumatic amputation attorneys understand your fears. We consult with your doctors and our network of doctors to fully understand the type of medical care and emotional help you will need. We review every way that the loss of limb affects your ability to live, work, enjoy your family and friends, and perform everyday tasks. Our lawyers obtain strong results because we aggressively work to show why the defendants are liable and all your economic and non-economic losses. Many catastrophic injury cases settle because insurance companies know of our track record of impressive jury verdicts.
How can we help?
- What does it mean to have a traumatic amputation?
- What types of Richland accidents cause amputation injuries?
- What treatments are used for Richland amputation patients?
- FAQs about using a prosthesis
- What resources are available for Richland amputation victims?
- What is the value of my traumatic amputation case?
- Do you have a traumatic amputation lawyer near me?
What does it mean to have a traumatic amputation?
Generally, an amputation means removing part or all of a limb. The University of Washington Medicine’s Orthopeadics and Sports Medicine Department offers this more precise 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 are unexpected. One minute you’re driving on a beautiful Richland road, looking out at the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. The next minute you’re in a hospital with your parents, spouse, and other loved ones praying that enough of your limb can be saved to use a prosthesis. Praying that it’s just your limb that’s at risk, and that you don’t have other catastrophic injuries like head trauma or spinal cord damage.
What types of Richland accidents cause amputation injuries?
Extreme forces cause amputation. Our Richland personal injury lawyers represent victims who suffer accidents that involve violent forces including:
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Car accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Crushing injuries
- Falls from scaffolds and other high heights
- Firearms that discharge
- Defective products
- Electrocution and electrical shocks
- Agricultural accidents
Amputations may also be necessary if a physician commits medical malpractice. For example, untreated infections may require amputation of an arm or leg. Our Southeast Washington lawyers file medical malpractice claims in addition to claims for other types of negligence.
What treatments are used for Richland amputation victims?
University of Washington’s Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Department works with amputees on a regular basis. The medical department states that not all amputations are the same. Upper extremity and lower extremity amputations differ in the following ways:
- Upper extremities. You need your arms for many tasks, but weight-bearing isn’t one of those tasks. A minimal amount of sensation is necessary for the arm to function.
- Lower extremities. Saving a lower limb is much more difficult than saving an upper limb. Your legs are used to bear the weight of your upper body.
Doctors use different methods to save an arm than to save a leg. The key similarities are that physicians do their best to quicken the healing process and save as much of your arm or leg so that the limb can be fitted with a prosthesis. A prosthesis is a mechanical device used to restore function to your limb.
FAQs about using a prosthesis
Anyone whose limb is amputated will have numerous questions about the use of a prosthesis. Your physicians and prosthesis rehabilitation team will answer these questions. The Amputee Coalition and UW Medicine provide answers to a few often-asked questions:
What are the challenges involved with fitting a limb with a prosthesis?
Traumatic amputation victims are usually fitted with a temporary prosthesis because the limb changes shape during the healing prosthesis. When the healing process is final, patients are then fitted for a permanent prosthesis. Most amputee victims will need to be fitted with several prostheses during their lifetime. Prostheses do wear out with time. There are new technologies that help you wear and use a prosthesis.
Do different patients receive different prosthetic devices?
Yes. You will be fitted with a prosthesis that is specially designed for your limb, muscles, size, and functional goals. A prosthesis helps you regain some function so you can stand, walk, and lift items. New technologies help with fine motor methods. There’s even work being done to help send messages to the brain through microprocessors and other stimulation technologies.
How much does a prosthesis cost?
Most Richland accident victims with an amputation will need several prostheses during their lifetime – especially if they are children or young victims. At Telaré Law, our lawyers work with your physicians and rehabilitation therapists to properly value the cost of your prosthesis, the likely cost of additional prostheses based on normal wear and tear, the expense to fit you and teach you how to use your prosthesis, and the cost to maintain your prostheses.
Every amputation victim suffers with phantom pain. Johns Hopkins Medicine defines phantom pain as “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).”
Your doctors try to preserve as much of your nerves as possible so that the phantom pain isn’t so severe.
What resources are available for Richland amputation victims?
Learning to physically live with the amputation of an arm or leg is often the easier part of coping with an amputation. The loss of a limb is visible to you and to everyone who sees you. In addition to a loss of confidence and self-esteem, there are numerous other stresses and anxieties such as worries about paying your bills and living a productive life. Many amputees suffer from depression.
There are numerous support groups. Richland amputee victims can work with a local Tri-Cities Amputee Support Group. Victims and families should call 509.531.0120 or email the group to obtain more information.
What is the value of my traumatic amputation case?
Lawsuits and insurance claims for amputation victims are valued based on numerous factors. Generally, once liability is established, the value of your case depends on the amount of verdicts and settlements in similar cases. Our Richland personal injury lawyers work with your doctors, your rehabilitation team, your family, your employees, and, most importantly, YOU, to show just how serious and life-altering your amputation and other injuries are.
We demand compensation for all your:
- Medical bills and related expenses including future costs
- Lost income and loss of future earning potential
- Physical pain including phantom pain and loss of function of your limb
- Emotional suffering
- Disfigurement compensation
- Loss of companionship (consortium) with your spouse
- Damage to any property such as your car
Don’t wait to contact us. While you generally have three years to file most types of accident claims, Team Telaré needs to work quickly to investigate the accident and help ensure you are receiving the medical care you need. We work with your doctors and also our own network of amputation physicians. In some cases, the time to file a claim may be shorter than three years.
Do you have a traumatic amputation lawyer near me?
If you lose any limb or appendage (completely or partially) Telaré Law is ready to help. We have an office in Richland at 1321 Columbia Park Trail, Suite B, Richland, WA. We also see clients in Kennewick. Since many amputation victims have mobility difficulties, we do see clients at their homes or the hospital when necessary.
Contact a respected Richland traumatic amputation attorney now
At Telaré Law, we understand how anxious you are. Living without an arm, leg, or a part of your limb means you’re not whole. A part of you will always be missing. When defendants cause an amputation, they deserve to pay the maximum amount that state law permits. Our Richland catastrophic injury lawyers are skilled trial lawyers. We are persuasive negotiators. We’ll help you get the compensation you deserve.
To discuss your concerns and get answers to all your questions, call our Richland traumatic amputation lawyers at 509-737-8500 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent traumatic amputation victims on a contingency fee basis. Our attorneys represent accident victims who live in Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.