Rockford Amputation & Loss of Limbs Lawyers

Amputation is the loss or removal of a body part, such as a leg, arm, hand, foot, finger, or toe. While amputation can occur due to an illness, it most commonly happens due to an injury, particularly in the workplace.

Amputations due to an injury can happen in many jobs, but they mainly occur in positions involving dangerous tools, such as band saws, woodworking machines, meat slicers, meatpacking or meat processing machines, punching and shearing machines, and metal forming machines. If these machines are not fitted with safety devices to prevent injury, they can easily cause amputations and other serious injuries.

An amputation can change your life forever, including your ability to perform certain jobs. You are entitled to financial compensation if you are injured at work, but obtaining those benefits can sometimes be a challenge. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer from Clark Frost Zucchi can help you seek compensation for all your damages following a workplace injury that results in amputation.

Complications of Amputations

As you can imagine, amputations are major surgical procedures that can be complex. They can lead to complications, such as:

• Heart attacks and other heart problems
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pneumonia
• Infection
• Slow wound healing
• Stump and “phantom limb” pain

For some amputees, multiple surgeries are needed to address problems that develop or to help relieve stump pain. Common complications after an amputation include rubbing or sores from a prosthetic limb, infections, nerve damage caused during surgery, and the development of neuromas, or thickened nerve tissue. Some patients develop phantom limb sensations, which are real and often painful. 

The ongoing medical costs associated with an amputation need to be considered when determining any injury settlement or workers’ compensation claim. A knowledgeable injury attorney can help ensure that your claim includes evidence of your future medical costs and help you fight for the compensation you need.

Benefits Available Following a Workplace Amputation Accident

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act requires that workers who suffer an amputation on the job receive permanent partial disability (PPD) payments. The type of amputation suffered will determine how long the employee may receive PPD benefits. For example, an employee who loses a thumb due to a work injury is entitled to 76 weeks of PPD compensation, while an employee who experiences a foot amputation is eligible for 167 weeks of benefits. 

The benefit amount will be based on several factors, including the employee’s current wage rate and family size, but is not to exceed the employee’s current rate of pay. The Act requires that these weekly benefits be paid promptly after the amputation injury occurs unless there is a dispute regarding the claim. 

Contact Us Today

Amputations can be debilitating. A person who has lost a limb will see their life change forever. Even with a prosthesis, daily life can be challenging.

If you have suffered an amputation in the workplace, you have a long road in front of you. Having the right support is critical. Seek legal help from the team at Clark Frost Zucchi so that you can get compensation for medical care and physical damages. We serve clients throughout Northern Illinois. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the online form or call our office today.