Amputation injuries can be devastating. The initial injury can be traumatizing and the reality of facing a lifetime of rehabilitation and recovery without a limb can be even more difficult to deal with. Depression is common. Amputation injuries are life-long and can result in significant financial harm.
If the amputation resulted from another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. While a personal injury lawsuit won’t bring back your limb or reduce your pain, it can help reduce the financial strain caused by the injury.
Defining Amputation
It doesn’t matter whether the amputated limb is a leg, an arm, a hand, or a finger. The loss of the limb is always traumatic.
Amputations are considered catastrophic injuries. This means that they are amongst the most devastating injuries that victims can suffer. They require a lifetime of recovery and rehabilitation. Amputation victims often have to relearn how to perform day to day activities.
Why Amputation Cases are Different
Amputation injury cases are often awarded higher compensation than many other personal injury claims. This is because amputations are considered more severe than many other types of injuries.
Another unique factor to consider about amputation injuries is that medical attention required for the recovery and rehabilitation of the patient is not limited to a specific time. Rehabilitation may last for months, years, or a lifetime. Care for this type of injury is often extremely expensive. This is a significant factor impacting the amount to be awarded as compensation.
Determining Liability
Like with any other personal injury case, liability must be determined. The starting point is to identify all potentially responsible parties (often there is more than one at-fault party) and the significance of each party’s role in causing your injuries.
As with any personal injury claim, amputation victims must file their claims before the expiration of the statute of limitations. In Georgia, you must file a personal injury claim within two years of the injury, with some exceptions. Failure to file your claim on time may that you’ve lost your opportunity to claim compensation for your injuries.
In some cases, the victim may have played a role in causing the accident that resulted in the injuries. If you were partially responsible for causing the amputation, your award may be reduced by the percentage of your fault. However, if you were more than 50% at fault, you may lose the right to recover any damages at all.
The laws of the state of Georgia are complex which makes it all the more important that you retain an experienced attorney to represent you as soon as possible after your injuries. Laurie Robbins, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, has years of experience fighting for the rights of accident victims. Please call her today for a free claim evaluation.