Pennsylvania Amputation Injury Lawyers

Serving Victims of Amputation Accidents in Carlisle, Hanover, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Schuylkill County & York, Pennsylvania

Amputations can occur as a result of a serious car accident, a severe burn, or a workplace accident. This is one of the most life-altering injuries a person can experience, leading to severe physical pain and disability as well as emotional and psychological challenges. In addition to immediate medical concerns, victims of traumatic amputation often face extensive rehabilitation, prosthetics, and long-term care.

At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families who have been affected by these catastrophic injuries. We have been fighting for Pennsylvania's injured for more than 100 years, and we will continue to fight to right the wrongs caused by negligence and wrongdoing. As Pennsylvania amputation attorneys, we are here to help our clients turn their lives around for the better.

The loss of a limb affects a person’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We can help secure your future and assist with your recovery. Call (888) 498-3023 to learn how!

Causes of Amputation/Loss of Limb

A traumatic amputation is unplanned and is most often the result of an accident where an extremity or limb is severely damaged, crushed, or severed. In some amputation accidents, the loss is immediate and occurs at the scene. In others, surgical amputation may be required after the fact. In either scenario, the victim will face a long and challenging road to recovery from a physical and psychological standpoint.

Our Pennsylvania amputation injury firm takes on cases involving:

• Motor vehicle accidents (car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents)
• Workplace accidents (construction accidents, machinery accidents, manufacturing accidents)
• Accidents involving fireworks, firearms, or explosive materials
• Building, elevator, and car door accidents
• Animal attacks, such as dog bites

We also handle cases involving medical malpractice or defective drugs, medical devices, and other products that lead to amputation. No matter the circumstances surrounding your case, we are confident in our ability to offer the guidance and support you need. We welcome you to contact our offices anytime to talk about what happened and get insight into your legal rights and options.

Side Effects & Consequences of Amputation

The loss of a limb is a profound and life-changing event that can lead to a multitude of side effects, impacting both the physical and psychological well-being of the individual. These side effects often result in additional financial and emotional burdens, requiring comprehensive care and support.

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

• Body Image Issues: Adjusting to a new physical appearance after amputation can lead to significant emotional and psychological challenges, affecting self-esteem and confidence.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis: The risk of developing blood clots in the veins, particularly in the legs, increases after an amputation, making careful monitoring and preventive measures crucial.
• Fatigue or Exhaustion: The physical and emotional toll of adapting to life after an amputation can lead to chronic fatigue and exhaustion, affecting one's career and personal life.
• Infection: The risk of infection at the amputation site is a serious concern. Proper wound care is essential to prevent infections, which can arise due to bacteria entering the surgical site. 
• Loss of Mobility and Dexterity: The absence of a limb or extremity can severely limit mobility and dexterity, affecting the ability to perform everyday tasks and maintain independence.
• Muscle Contractures: This can occur when the muscles near the amputation site become permanently shortened, resulting in pain and limited range of motion.
• Stump and Phantom Limb Pain: Many experience pain in the remaining part of the limb (stump) and sensations of pain in the amputated limb (phantom limb pain), which can be challenging to manage.

Taking these side effects into account, it is evident that comprehensive medical care, rehabilitation, and emotional support are crucial for those who have undergone an amputation. Our firm is committed to advocating for individuals affected by amputation, helping them secure the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and the necessary support to improve their quality of life.

The Costs of a Lost Limb

Studies show that approximately 30% of people with limb loss experience depression and/or anxiety. Losing a limb can be a traumatic experience, and it is even more distressing when caused by a catastrophic accident. The loss of a limb can make it difficult for victims to make a living because limb prosthetics can cost tens of thousands of dollars, not including the hours of physical therapy and loss of wages. 

Costs for hospital and professional fees average about $30,000. When combining both hospital and prosthetic costs, the estimated lifetime expenses for a patient can average around $509,275. This figure accounts for treatment costs but does not include expenses for counseling or the emotional pain experienced by amputees. It also does not include lost earnings due to missed work during treatment and rehabilitation or a permanent inability to return to the same occupation or field. 

Amputation Lawsuits in Pennsylvania: Who Is Liable?

The party (or parties) responsible for a serious accident that results in amputation should be held accountable, and this can be accomplished through a personal injury lawsuit. Such a lawsuit enforces civil penalties, financial in nature, as opposed to criminal penalties such as imprisonment. A person who has lost a limb in an accident can seek financial compensation from the liable parties in order to rebuild.

The following are examples of potentially liable parties in an amputation lawsuit:

• Distracted, drunk, aggressive, or careless drivers
• Companies that cut corners on employee safety
• Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises
• Medical professionals who fail to provide adequate care
• Manufacturers of defective products, medical devices, or drugs

A thorough investigation into your amputation accident can reveal its cause and who should be held accountable. With over a century in this field, our Pennsylvania amputation law firm has the resources to investigate these complex matters and build compelling cases that help us negotiate a fair settlement or support a favorable verdict in court. We have the experience and know-how to see justice served. 

Amputation Linked to Invokana Use for Type 2 Diabetes

Invokana (canagliflozin) is a medication prescribed to manage type 2 diabetes by controlling blood glucose levels. However, it has been associated with an increased risk of lower limb amputations. Studies have shown that patients with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed Invokana were twice as likely to require amputation. In 2016, the FDA issued a public alert regarding clinical trial results that indicated a heightened risk of amputations, particularly affecting the toes, in patients taking Invokana. While the risk prompted the FDA to add a black box warning to the drug, this warning was removed in 2020. Despite the removal, the FDA acknowledged that the risk of amputation remains higher than with a placebo.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Amputation Attorneys Today!

If you or a loved one have suffered an amputation, you have the right to seek compensation. At Handler, Henning & Rosenberg, we have the knowledge and experience needed to handle serious injury cases. If you need a lawyer on your side, we provide the results-driven representation you are looking for. Our Pennsylvania amputation accident attorneys are not afraid to take on big insurance companies on your behalf. Since 1922, our law firm has successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We have offices in Carlisle, Hanover, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Schuylkill County, and York to serve you.

Why hire the legal team of Handler, Henning & Rosenberg?

• Dedicated and highly respected attorneys
• We are available 24/7 for our clients
• Spanish-speaking services available
• Over 100 years representing Pennsylvania's injured

If you want answers and insight from a firm that will go the extra mile for you, contact our Pennsylvania amputation lawyers today for a free consultation: (888) 498-3023.