An amputation is the loss of a limb or body part. This is sometimes due to a traumatic event like a car wreck. Around 70% of all amputations that are due to trauma occur to an upper limb and around 75% of upper limb amputations are because of trauma. It’s possible that the lower limbs will be amputated; however, this is far less common.
What happens when a limb is amputated?
It’s sometimes possible for a surgeon to reattach the limb. Even when this is possible, you’re going to have to go through intense rehabilitation to learn how to use the limb again. When the surgeon can’t reattach the limb, the focus often becomes learning how to do tasks without the limb or with a prosthetic limb.
What factors impact how an amputation affects you?
Many factors determine how the loss of the limb will impact your future. Your health can play a role, but the location of the amputation and the damage to structures in the injured area also have a part in how the injury affects you.
Your ability to put forth a serious effort in rehab is one of the factors you can control. This will take a lot of energy and time, so there’s a chance that you’ll have to miss work in order to be as successful as possible at rehab.
What can you do if you suffered an amputation due to someone else’s negligence?
The loss of a limb is a difficult injury to cope with. Not only do you have to think about having to learn how to do daily activities without that limb, you also have to deal with the emotional trauma that comes with it. For some, the amputation means they’re unable to work, and this leads to financial difficulties.
If the amputation was the result of an event that was caused by another person’s negligence, you might opt to pursue a claim for compensation. This can help you recover the damages that you suffered because of the incident.