Houston Amputation Attorneys

Nationwide Representation for Victims of the Traumatic Loss of Limb

Years ago, a construction superintendent was standing behind a safety fence during a drilling project. He was overseeing a project that involved using a drilling auger attached to a crane, which allowed them to do deep foundation drilling. The auger got stuck, and while the operator attempted to unstick the drill, the crane collapsed on the superintendent. 

His injuries forced his doctors to make an above-the-knee amputation.

He then called Arnold & Itkin for help.

Our client didn’t have a desk job at the time of the incident. He worked in construction. The loss of his leg meant the loss of his career (and, more directly, the loss of his income). Just as importantly, the loss of his leg created incredible mental anguish, trauma, and physical pain. Over three weeks, our Houston amputation attorneys argued that our client needed significant financial support to overcome his injury and move on with his life. Ultimately, the jury agreed.

Our client was awarded $44 million—the largest award for an amputee victim in U.S. history.

$44 Million Verdict for Victim of Limb Loss

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The Cost of an Amputation Injury

Losing a limb due to a catastrophic accident can leave people in pain and anguish for years or even a lifetime, making it harder for them to earn a living. Even with the right financial resources in place, limb prosthetics can cost tens of thousands—not including the time spent adjusting to using it, the hours of physical therapy, and the lost work efficiency.

The effects of amputation include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Loss of mobility and dexterity
  • Stump and phantom limb pain
  • Infection
  • Muscle contractures
  • Fatigue or exhaustion
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Body image issues
  • Social isolation

One study found that amputees faced tens of thousands of dollars in care costs on average from hospital and professional fees without accounting for prosthetic costs. When the cost of using/buying prosthetics was added, patients’ lifetime expenses reached six figures on average. Just for treatment—not counseling, emotional pain and suffering, the loss of a career, or the grief that comes from losing a piece of yourself.

Accounting for Long-Term Costs That Can Result from Amputations

The imbalance that results from an amputation can create additional accident risks as well as degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. In these cases, cartilage wears away, triggering additional joint pain, and bone mass shrinks, leading to weakened, brittle bones that can easily fracture.

One of the ways to mitigate these risks is finding the right prosthetic, but this in and of itself can be a grueling process. Prosthetics can help mitigate long-term, secondary conditions, but until they fit right and provide proper realignment and balance, prosthetics themselves can lead to radiating pain, blisters, and risks of falls. The compensation someone receives for an amputation should cover past, current, and anticipated future costs. You cannot afford to settle for inadequate, low compensation that doesn't account for all of your amputation-related expenses and damages.

This can include receiving compensation for the following:

  • All related and ongoing medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of income and earning ability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • And more

The loss of a limb is mental, physical, and emotional.    
The results of your legal action should fully reflect that.

Every amputation injury carries not only the initial emotional and physical burden but also long-lasting implications that affect an individual's lifestyle and mental health. It requires the guidance of knowledgeable amputation accident attorneys to navigate the complex claims process and ensure every aspect of your suffering is comprehensively addressed. Settling for less than you deserve could compromise your quality of life, thus emphasizing the need for an experienced lawyer to relentlessly advocate for you.

What Is a Crush Injury?

Crush injuries occur when intense or sustained compression harms muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and tissues. About three-quarters of these injuries impact the legs, while around 10% involve the arms. These injuries vary widely in severity. They can range from minor incidents, like shutting a finger in a door, to severe cases leading to long-term disability or even fatality. In extreme situations, the damage to bones and muscles may be so extensive that the affected limb becomes irreparable, necessitating amputation. While some lesser injuries might be manageable without medical intervention, many crush injuries demand immediate medical care to avoid grave complications.

Crush injuries can lead to other serious medical consequences, such as:

Why Crush Injuries Are Dangerous 

When a crush injury occurs, abnormal compression forces disrupt the chemical balance of the muscle cells. This disruption damages the structures in the cell membranes responsible for pumping calcium and potassium into the cells and removing sodium from the cells, which can break the muscle cell membrane and cause cell death. When this happens, muscles break down and release a protein known as myoglobin into the blood. 

This release leads to rhabdomyolysis, which results in low blood pressure and vomiting. 

If rhabdomyolysis is not treated immediately, it can lead to:

  • Kidney failure
  • Toxic shock
  • Fatal injury

Medical intervention is required and surgery may be needed to repair tissue damage. Sadly, amputation may be the only effective medical treatment in some cases. One of the reasons crush injuries are so devastating is the long-term impact suffered by the victims. Crush injuries can lead to intense, constant pain, and even the potential of permanent pain—also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

Common Causes of Amputation & Crush Injuries in Houston, Texas

One of the key reasons that work injuries account for so many amputations is the use of heavy equipment, especially in construction and industrial settings. When machinery with moving parts is used, employers must ensure all equipment is safe to operate and well-maintained. Workers must be trained in the proper methods of operation, cleaning, and maintenance of the equipment to prevent crushing injuries. They must be provided with equipment and tools that reduce the danger of amputation and crush injuries and be adequately trained in their proper use.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6,200 workers in 2018 needed amputations after workplace accidents. Nearly 60% of these nonfatal amputations were due to machinery.

Our Firm's Success in Amputation & Crush Injury Claims

At Arnold & Itkin, we have helped many people get the financial recovery they need, even in complex cases and against formidable defendants. No matter the legal challenges, our amputation attorneys know what it takes to make sure our clients get the money they need for comprehensive medical care and moving forward in life.

In addition to our record-setting verdict mentioned earlier, we have also recovered:

  • $16.5 million for a crane rigger who sustained a crushed pelvis from a crane load falling on him
  • $12 million for a truck driver who was crushed by cargo while unloading and then suffered a stroke
  • $9.5 million for a longshoreman who was in an industrial crane accident and needed his leg amputated
  • $9.25 million for a young man who suffered a traumatic leg amputation when a delivery truck hit him
  • $6.75 million for a worker who had to have his left leg amputated after a pipe cleaning accident
  • $6.5 million for a barge crew member whose face was crushed by a cage that fell after a faulty cable snapped
  • $5.5 million for a contractor whose arm was crushed by a faulty pipe rack
  • $4 million for a mariner who had to amputate a lower leg because of an infection brought on by contaminated water
  • $3 million for a worker whose right hand and arm were crushed on the job

While each claim is different, and we can't make guarantees about specific outcomes, we can guarantee that we bring the same tireless fight and drive to each claim we take on. Our legal team can provide you with the resources and determination it takes to get answers and pursue justice.

Legal Considerations for Amputation Injuries in Houston

In Houston, like many other places, legal proceedings for amputation injuries can be complex and highly regulated. Texas law mandates specific procedures regarding personal injury claims, with a two-year statute of limitations to file a claim from the date of the accident. This makes it crucial for victims of amputation to act swiftly in securing legal counsel to preserve their rights and gather timely evidence.

Houston's industrial landscape, with its significant number of oil rigs and construction sites, unfortunately, contributes to a higher incidence of severe workplace injuries, including amputations. As a victim, you may be entitled to compensation that not only covers immediate medical expenses but also ongoing rehabilitation costs, prosthetics, and loss of future income. Working with an experienced amputation lawyer in Houston ensures you understand each potential benefit and navigate the legal system effectively to secure those benefits.

Speak with Our Houston Amputation Injury Lawyers: (888) 493-1629

Proving that negligence caused the crush injury, the amputation, or led to a situation that necessitated amputation means one thing: the ability to start over without fear or stress. At Arnold & Itkin, we are here to help fight for the resources you need: quality medical care, recovered lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation.

People turn to our Houston catastrophic injury attorneys because:

  • We have won more than $20 billion for our clients.
  • We have set state and national records with our victories.
  • We have won hundreds of claim results worth $1 million or more.

The Houston amputation lawyers at Arnold & Itkin have helped our clients rebuild their lives—to provide for their families, find new careers, and keep their homes. Our work has helped people find hope again. Together, we can fight to hold your wrongdoer accountable and force them to do right by you and your loved ones. No matter what.

Call (888) 493-1629 or contact us online to tell us what happened. We can fight to help you rebuild your life.

Common Questions

  • What Are the Most Common Causes of Amputation?

    Unplanned amputation, arising from an accident or injury, is often referred to as traumatic amputation or loss of limb. It is estimated that about 30,000 people experience traumatic amputations in the U.S. each year. The leading causes of accidental traumatic amputation are car, truck, and motorcycle accidents; bicycle and pedestrian accidents; workplace accidents; construction accidents; industrial injuries; and electrocutions. For these people and their families, life will never be the same. They must deal with the emotional trauma of losing a part of their bodies and will have to re-learn tasks and movements that they used to take for granted: walking, running, picking up objects, fine motor skills, and more. These victims deserve to see justice served.

  • How Long Does It Take For Crush Injuries To Heal?

    The length of time it will take for a crush injury to heal will depend on the extent of damage. A hand that’s partially crushed with no bone fractures, for example, may heal in a few days or weeks. A severely crushed limb may take multiple surgeries and months to heal. Some crush injuries are so severe that they require surgical amputation. You should talk to your doctor and see specialists as needed to ensure you have the best opportunity to heal.

  • How Are Crush Injuries Treated?

    Treatment for a crush injury will depend on the extent of damage you’ve experienced. The path to recovery may include emergency treatment and hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and assistive devices. In some cases, complications like nerve damage may arise, limiting the use of the crushed limb or extremity even if it seems healed on the outside. Initial treatment, ongoing therapy, and living with a crush injury can be difficult and expensive. That’s why it is so important to recover full and fair compensation.

  • What Compensation Can I Recover In An Amputation Or Crush Injury Claim?

    An injury claim should cover every expense, loss, and wrong a victim has experienced. This includes medical treatment and ongoing care, plus the cost of physical therapy and prosthetics, as well as medication and other medical supplies or assistive devices. It also includes lost income or future earnings, as many amputees cannot return to the same work that they previously performed or may be unable to work for an extended period of time. An amputation or crush injury lawsuit should also cover emotional trauma, which can be extensive after this type of devastating injury. Compensation should be awarded for pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other psychological trauma. Recovery cannot erase the consequences of the accident itself, but it can help a victim and their family get the support they need to restore their lives and face brighter futures.

  • How Can an Amputation Attorney Help Me?

    An amputation accident attorney in Houston can play an instrumental role in managing the complexities of your claim. First, they can help establish liability, identifying who is responsible for your injury, whether it involves employers, manufacturers, or third parties. Lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring you receive compensation that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Furthermore, an attorney with experience in handling amputation claims can project future damages, incorporating aspects like lifelong prosthetic maintenance and therapy costs, ensuring you are financially secure in the long term.

  • Can I Sue for Emotional Distress After an Amputation?

    Texas law allows individuals to seek compensation for emotional distress following an amputation injury. This can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. However, proving emotional distress can be challenging and requires thorough documentation, sometimes supported by psychological evaluations and expert testimony. An amputation attorney can guide you through this process, ensuring all necessary evidence is collected and advocating fiercely on your behalf to make sure your emotional injuries are not overlooked in your pursuit of justice.
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