Wisconsin Amputation Lawyer

After an accident, you may suffer from a number of different types of injuries. One of the most life-altering types of injuries you could sustain is an amputation. Most people who suffer an amputation will have to adjust throughout their entire life. They may have to make changes at home and in the workplace to accommodate their injury. Each new day can present new challenges.

If you have sustained an amputation due to an accident in Wisconsin that was the fault of someone else, our Wisconsin amputation lawyers can help you file a claim against them to recover your damages. While financial compensation can never undo the accident, it can help relieve the costly burden amputation injuries place upon you. Get in touch with our helpful legal team now!

Our injury lawyers have helped clients across Wisconsin recover the compensation they deserve after losing a limb. Whether your injury was caused by a car accident, a workplace accident, or another serious accident, we are here to lead you through the whole process from start to finish.

Understanding Amputation Injuries

An amputation involves the removal of a bodily appendage such as an arm, leg, finger, or toe. Amputations can be surgical or accidental. Accidental amputations are also known as traumatic amputations because they happen during an accident. Surgical amputations occur after an accident when the limb or digit is so badly damaged it cannot be saved.

Amputation injuries affect not just the injured person but also their loved ones. The loss of a limb changes daily life in ways that are hard to fully put into words. Many amputees face years of rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and physical therapy just to regain basic function. The financial and emotional toll on victims and their families can be enormous.

Amputation Injuries are Quite Common

Due to the fact that amputation injuries are so traumatic, and people do not come across amputees every day, it is natural to think that these injuries are relatively rare. Unfortunately, that is not true. 

While the main cause of an amputation injury is vascular disease due to peripheral arterial disease and diabetes, amputations caused by accidents are also very common. According to the Amputee Coalition, there are more than 19 million people in the United States currently living with a loss of limb.  Additionally, in 2020, the WHA Information Center reported there were 1,250 hospitalizations for amputation of the lower limb except toes in 2019.

Not only are amputation injuries quite common, but they are also very expensive to treat. You can initiate a claim against the liable party, but it is first important to identify the cause of the injury. These amputation statistics only underscore how important it is for injury victims to understand their legal options after losing a limb or body part.

What Causes an Amputation Injury?

While any accident can cause an amputation, there are some types that more commonly result in these injuries than others. They are as follows:

• Auto accidents: Motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and car accidents are one of the leading causes of amputation injuries. These accidents often happen at high speeds, and the force of impact is often too much for certain body parts to sustain. Sharp glass and flying debris can also cause a traumatic amputation at the scene of a traffic accident.
• Dog bites and attacks: A vicious dog attack may result in an accidental amputation if the dog manages to tear away a part of a person’s body. However, surgical amputations are also sometimes required after a dog bite or attack. A dog’s mouth is full of bacteria that can enter a person’s bloodstream during an attack. This can cause dangerous infections and severe infections, which, if left untreated or not caught soon enough, may result in surgical amputation affecting the blood vessels and surrounding tissue.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Neither pedestrians nor bicyclists have a great deal of protection when they are out on the road. When they are struck by a large vehicle, they will suffer some of the most catastrophic injuries, including possible amputation.
• Slip and falls: Fall accidents can result in an amputation injury, particularly when someone falls from a great height or suffers a crushing injury due to the fall.
• Workplace accidents: Many traumatic injuries occur on the job. Heavy machinery, construction equipment, and industrial tools can all lead to a traumatic amputation or even amputation of a body part. Workers in manufacturing, farming, and construction face especially high risks.
• Severe burns: Severe burns can destroy tissue, nerves, and blood vessels so badly that amputation of the affected limb or body part becomes necessary.

Long-Term Impacts of an Amputation Injury

An amputation injury will have an enormous impact on your life. It may affect your ability to work, move, and enjoy hobbies and activities that you once did. It may also affect your independence and ability to interact with others. In addition to the emotional distress, you may also have to deal with other long-term impacts. Some of the most common of these are as follows:

• Phantom limb syndrome, or perceived sensation in the missing limb
• Chronic pain caused by nerve damage
• Balance, mobility, and coordination issues
• Sensory issues
• Increased risk of falling
• Fatigue due to physical exhaustion
• Medical complications, including muscle contractions
• Deadly blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis
• Self-esteem issues
• Mental health disorders such as PTSD and depression

Amputation injuries also affect a victim’s ability to earn a living. Many victims can no longer perform the same type of work they did before losing a limb. This loss of earning capacity can have lasting effects on a person’s financial resources and quality of life. Loved ones often have to step in to provide care, which adds emotional and financial strain to the whole family.

How Much are Amputation Injury Claims Worth?

If another person’s negligence, or carelessness, caused your amputation injury, you can file a claim against them to recover compensation. No two amputation cases are exactly alike, however, and the amount of damages you receive will depend on the facts of your case. Still, there are guidelines you can use to estimate the amount of damages you may deserve. The most common types are as follows:

• The cost of your medical expenses including surgeries, hospitalizations, medication, medical devices, physical therapy, and more,
• The income you lost due to your inability to return to work right away,
• The difference in your income before and after the amputation if you cannot return to the same line of work in the future,
• Losses for the permanent disfigurement and/or disability you sustained,
• The cost of renovations to your home or vehicle necessary to accommodate the injury, and 
• Pain and suffering damages for your physical and emotional trauma

It is not always easy to determine what damages are available after an amputation injury. While you may understand the immediate losses you have incurred, it is also important to include future losses in your claim. It is also difficult to calculate certain types of damages, such as those for pain and suffering, that do not have a concrete value. Before filing an amputation injury claim, it is important that you speak to a Wisconsin amputation attorney who can accurately value your claim and negotiate a fair settlement.

Medical bills after a traumatic amputation can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you factor in medical treatment, rehabilitation, prosthetics, home modifications, lost wages, and ongoing care, the total losses can be staggering. Our law firm and personal injury lawyers work hard to make sure every dollar of your losses is counted so you receive the compensation you deserve. Our clients trust us to fight on their behalf, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Why Hire Our Exceptional Wisconsin Amputation Lawyer?

Navigating the legal process after an amputation can be overwhelming. Having an experienced Wisconsin personal injury attorney by your side can make all the difference in securing fair compensation. Here’s how Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC can help:

• Building a Strong Case: To win compensation, we need to prove that another party was at fault for your injury. Our team will gather crucial evidence, including accident reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a compelling case on your behalf. Whether it was a negligent driver, an unsafe workplace, or a defective product, we’ll work to hold the responsible party accountable.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters are notorious for offering low settlements that don’t cover the full extent of your damages. We handle all communications with insurers, ensuring they receive the necessary paperwork and medical records while negotiating on your behalf for a fair settlement.
• Fighting for Maximum Compensation: Whether through settlement negotiations or litigation, we fight for the maximum compensation available to you. Our goal is to ensure you are financially secure as you recover from your injury. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.
• Litigating in Wisconsin Courts: Wisconsin has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, meaning you have a limited time to file a lawsuit. We’ll make sure your claim is filed on time and will aggressively represent you in court if necessary.

Our injury law team has the experience and resources needed to handle even the most complex amputation injury cases. We understand the pain and suffering victims and their loved ones experience, and we are committed to fighting for the legal representation and compensation they deserve. Our clients never have to face this process alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amputation Injury Cases

Can I file a personal injury lawsuit if I lost a limb in an accident?

Yes. If someone else’s negligence caused your amputation injury, you have the right to file a personal injury claim or personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation. This includes car accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace accidents, fall accidents, and other serious accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. A personal injury attorney can review your case and explain what types of damages you may be able to recover on your behalf.

How long do I have to file an amputation injury claim in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. That means you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline in injury cases almost always means losing your right to recover compensation entirely. Do not wait. Contact an injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident so your personal injury claim is filed on time.

What if my amputation was caused by a medical error?

Medical malpractice can lead to unnecessary or even amputation when a doctor or hospital fails to properly treat an infection or injury. If severe infections, dangerous infections, or other medical conditions were mishandled and resulted in the loss of a limb or body part, you may have a medical malpractice claim. These are complex injury cases that require medical experts to prove what went wrong. Our law firm can help you determine whether you have a valid claim.

What does an amputation injury lawyer do for me?

An injury lawyer handles the legal process so you can focus on recovery. This includes gathering accident reports, medical records, and witness statements, dealing with insurance companies, and fighting for the maximum compensation available. Our injury attorney team provides full legal representation from your free case evaluation through settlement or trial. You never pay unless we win.

Our Amputation Lawyer in Wisconsin Can Help You Claim Full Damages

Amputation injuries are extremely traumatic and when filing a claim, you need legal advice. At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our Wisconsin amputation lawyer can provide it. Our Wisconsin amputation attorneys can advise you of your legal options, determine the value of your claim, and negotiate with the liable party for the maximum damages that are justly yours.

We offer a free case consultation and a free case evaluation so you can get answers with no cost and no pressure. Our clients pay nothing up front. Schedule a free consultation today and let our personal injury lawyer team fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us now at (608) 200-3713 or contact us online to request a free consultation and to get the legal help you need.