Los Angeles Amputation Law Firm
What is an Amputation?
An amputation is simply the loss of a body part, typically an appendage or extremity such as a foot, leg, hand or arm.
Causes of Amputations in Los Angeles Accidents
Amputations may be either intentional or unintentional. There are various types of potential life-threatening diseases which may require someone to intentionally have an amputation. Amputations may also unintentionally result from an accident or other injury. Studies have indicated that nearly twenty-two percent (22%) of all United States amputations are a direct result of traumatic injuries, such as: factory accidents; farm machinery; airplane crashes; amusement park injuries; construction accidents; motorcycle accidents, and train accidents.
Four-percent (4%) of amputations are surgically performed because of birth defects or congenital deformities. Another four-percent of the Los Angeles amputations are preventative and used to reduce or eliminate bone or muscle tumors from spreading.
While the number one reason for amputations throughout the world is trauma, in the United States, amputated limbs are mostly because of vascular diseases. These vascular diseases include diabetes, blood clots, hardened arteries, or osteomyelitis.
Los Angeles, California Amputation Procedures
In the United States, annually there are approximately 185,000 amputations. Of these amputations, a staggering percentage of nearly eighty-percent (80%) are performed because of an inability of the human body to carry blood through that appendage or human body part. If there is insufficient blood supply to an extremity, such as a hand or foot, serious infections and ulcers could result which would increase the likelihood of amputations to that body part.
General Statistics on Amputees?
In the United States, there are approximately 1.2 million people who are living with an amputation. Of this vast number of amputees, the large majority of them have lost part or all of a leg. The majority of amputees are sixty years-old or older. It has also been determined that if the elderly person's amputation was a result of a circulatory illness they are more likely to experience other health problems.
Amputation Complications
An amputation is a very serious operation where there is no other option to save the life of the injured person. As this operation is so serious, some of the more serious complications include: serious bleeding, terminal infection, and / or shock.
Phantom Limb Sensation or Pain
The majority of people who lose a limb through either a traumatic accident or in an operation experience a phenomenon known as phantom limb sensation or pain. This phenomenon is not well known, and even children who are born without an appendage have stated that they sometimes feel sensation or feeling in their amputated or missing body part.
Accidental Los Angeles Amputations
If the amputation resulted from a traumatic or accidental amputation, the amputated part may be able to be reattached. This is even more accurate as medical procedures and technology have both continued to improve creating moderately successful replantation techniques. However, complete nerve regeneration still needs further improvement and remains the major issue for replantation. For those who are unable to replant their limb, or for traumatic amputees, a prosthetic limb or appendage may also be used.
Prosthetic technology has improved so much over the last few years that prosthetic devices enable these injury victims to carry on day-to-day tasks without the need of relying upon others, which enables them to participate in normal activities.
Contact a Los Angeles Amputation Attorney
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a traumatic accident which resulted in the severing or amputation of an appendage which was caused because of the negligent acts of another, please contact our Los Angeles Amputation Attorney for a free confidential consultation.
Our Lawyers can be reached at 800-715-4489. |