Amputation Injuries

Rapid City Amputation Injury Attorney

Amputation & Loss of Limb Claims in South Dakota

Losing a limb is one of the most catastrophic, life-altering injuries a person can experience. Whether due to a traumatic accident or medical necessity, amputation injuries typically result in significant and permanent impairment, affecting everything from the victim’s ability to work and earn a living to their ability to handle everyday tasks and care for their needs.

If you or someone you love lost an arm, leg, hand, foot, or extremity due to the careless, reckless, or wrongful conduct of someone else, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your resulting damages, such as expenses associated with medications, surgery, prosthetics, lost income, and more. At Beardsley, Jensen & Lee, we represent clients in and around Rapid City who have suffered devastating injuries and losses through no fault of their own. Our entire team is ready to fight for the fair compensation you are owed.

Contact our firm online or call (605) 777-7466 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our Rapid City amputation injury lawyers today.

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What Is Traumatic Amputation?

There are two types of amputation:

  • Medical (or surgical) amputation
  • Traumatic amputation

While medical/surgical amputation occurs due to necessity, typically to prevent infection or treat an injury, traumatic amputation is the loss of a body part due to an accident or similar catastrophic event.

There are two primary types of traumatic amputation:

  • Partial Amputation: A partial amputation occurs when one or more anatomical structures, such as muscles or ligaments, connect the amputated body part and the rest of the body.
  • Complete Amputation: A complete amputation occurs when a body part is entirely severed and becomes completely disconnected from the body.

Amputations are further categorized by the affected location, meaning the part of the body where the partial or complete amputation occurred.

What Are the Common Causes of Traumatic Amputation?

Traumatic amputations are most commonly caused by:

  • Motor vehicle accidents, including crashes involving cars, motorcycles, and commercial trucks
  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
  • Large vehicle and mass transportation accidents, such as those involving trains or buses
  • Construction, industrial, and agricultural accidents
  • Workplace and work-related accidents
  • Explosions, fireworks accidents, and incidents involving firearms
  • Building accidents

Sadly, these types of accidents and injuries are common. Data suggests that as many as 2.1 million Americans are living with limb loss, with 185,000 people experiencing traumatic and surgical amputation every single year.

How Is an Amputated Wound Treated?

There are several ways to treat an amputated wound, both immediately after the injury and in the hours, days, weeks, and months that follow.

If you or someone you know suffers an accidental amputation, immediately do the following:

  • Call 911/emergency services
  • If possible, remove any objects in the wound, such as dirt or debris
  • Remove clothing from the area
  • Using clean, sterile materials, apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding
  • When applying pressure, avoid direct pressure to any objects present in the wound
  • Keep the affected area elevated to help slow/stop bleeding
  • If the area does not stop bleeding, continue applying pressure while waiting for help
  • Check for signs of physiologic and/or emotional shock, such as loss of consciousness, lightheadedness, weakness, reduced alertness, fainting, etc.

If possible, in the event of a complete amputation, you should try to recover the amputated body part and bring it to the hospital with you/the injured victim. Doctors are sometimes able to reattach amputated body parts. When transporting the amputated body part, wrap it in clean, sterile cloth, such as gauze, seal it in a waterproof plastic bag or container, and place it on ice.

Once at the hospital, the injured victim’s wounds will be cleaned and disinfected. Surgery is often required in the event of both partial and complete amputation. Medical staff will also watch for signs of infection, which could cause serious and even fatal complications if left untreated. Depending on the specific circumstances, attending doctors may reattach the amputated limb, or this may be impossible. In some cases, prosthetics may be recommended to assist the victim in recovering some degree of mobility, functioning, use, etc.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Traumatic Amputation

Accidental amputation results in numerous significant challenges for victims. Not only must amputees learn to navigate the physical and emotional trauma associated with the injury, but they also must face an array of unexpected financial hardships, from massive medical bills to lost wages due to partial or total disability and time taken off work to ongoing and future considerations.

At Beardsley, Jensen & Lee, we fight for maximum compensation for our clients’ damages, including but not limited to:

  • Emergency medical care costs
  • Surgeries
  • Medication and medical equipment
  • Prosthetics
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost wages/income
  • Future lost earnings
  • Loss of earning capacity/disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma/distress
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders

We understand the many complexities and challenges inherent in these types of cases, as well as the unique emotional difficulties victims face. Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience and are committed to providing the caring and personalized legal representation you deserve.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

When you or someone you love has suffered a severe injury, you need the right legal team by your side. At Beardsley, Jensen & Lee, we approach each case collaboratively, combining our extensive experience, skills, and resources to build the most powerful and effective cases possible for our clients. We are here for you every step of the way, providing answers to your questions and addressing any concerns you may have throughout the legal process.

To set up a free initial consultation, contact us today at (605) 777-7466. There are no attorney fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

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