Amputations are usually a result of an injury or disease that damages portions of the body so severely the body cannot regenerate or heal the damaged tissue. The damaged tissue ultimately dies, causing infection. Infection sites are a cesspool for dangerous bacteria that can spread and harm other areas of the body.
Amuptation Injury Common Causes
When an injury or disease causes such severe damage amputation is usually required to protect the rest of the body.
Below are some of the most common ways an injury can result in the need for amputation:
- Traumatic Injury: Car accidents, work injuries, defective products, dangerous properties, and even medical malpractice injuries are all possible causes of traumatic injury. After a traumatic injury body tissue and blood vessels can be ripped or shredded beyond repair leaving amputation of the injured body part the only option for recovery. Traumatic amputations are most common in people 50 years of age or younger. If you or a loved one lost a limb from a traumatic injury caused by another you should contact our lost limb lawyers now as you may have a case.
- Disease: A variety of different diseases can irreversibly destroy body tissues. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the most common disease that results in amputation. Diabetes can cause nerve death, also called neuropathy. Neuropathy causes victims to lose their sense of touch and makes them more prone to slow healing cuts. The cuts heal at a slower rate due to impaired circulation. 90% of amputations in the U.S. are a result from PAD, diabetes, and neuropathy. Disease related amputations could be a result of medical malpractice if the medical care provider failed to diagnose the conditions in a timely manner, failed to medicate the victim properly, or failed to monitor the victim and their condition properly.
- Cancer: Amputation may sometimes be necessary for victims of cancer to try and keep malignant tumors from spreading throughout the body. Misdiagnosis of cancer that leads to amputation is a form of medical malpractice. If you or a loved one had a cancer misdiagnosis and lost a limb as a result of delayed treatment you should consult with our amputation attorneys as you may have a case.
Traumatic Amputation Statistics
- The peak age for limb loss is between 41 and 70 years old
- 68.6% of traumatic amputations are upper limb amputations
- Males are at higher risk for traumatic amputation
- One out of every 200 Americans is an amputee
If you or a loved one is a amputation victim caused my trauma or medical negligence, please, contact our Pennsylvania amputation lawyers at 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation. The attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to help you and your loved ones after the tragedy you have experienced. We, along with our team of medical and legal experts, will fight to get you the compensation and justice you deserve.