Losing a limb is heartbreaking. Whether you lose a limb in a workplace accident or a motorcycle crash, it’s a devastating outcome. It’s even more traumatic when someone else is responsible for your amputation – and your altered quality of life.
If you lost a limb due to someone else’s negligence, an amputation injury lawyer can help. But how do you choose an amputation lawyer? And why is it so crucial to hire an attorney? Our amputation injury attorneys answer these questions and more below.
Amputation Injuries
Amputation injuries mean the removal, or loss, of a body part. This can be a smaller limb, such as a finger or toe, or a large limb, such as the leg. It can also mean the whole or part of a limb.
Amputations can be surgical or traumatic. Surgical amputations are a medical procedure whereby a surgeon removes all or part of the affected limb. Traumatic amputations occur during accidents, such as construction accidents.
Causes of Amputation Injuries
There are many reasons why amputation injuries occur. In civil claims, amputation injuries often occur in:
- Medical negligence claims
- Car crashes
- Heavy truck crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Construction or workplace accidents
In accidents, the amputation occurs due to the force applied to the limb. However, some accident victims may later lose a damaged limb in a surgical procedure.
Amputation Injury Lawsuits
To make an amputation lawsuit, you must prove four things.
- Someone owed you a duty of care. A duty of care is the duty to behave with reasonable regard for the safety of others. For example, drivers owe each other a duty of care.
- This party breached their duty of care towards you. For example, a driver sped through a stop sign, or an employer failed to provide safe working conditions.
- You lost a limb in an accident. This could be at the scene, or later due to medical treatment.
- Your injuries are a direct result of the defendant’s negligence. There’s a link between your injuries and their actions (or failure to act).
If your claim is successful, you can seek damages for various losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium/companionship
- Rehabilitation costs
Amputation Injury Statute of Limitations
There are time limits for making any type of personal injury claim in California. This is known as the statute of limitations.
Typically, victims have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit. The victim may have more (or less) time depending on, for example, their age at the time of the accident. Medical malpractice claims also have different time limits.
The only way to know how long you have to file is by hiring an amputee lawyer. Otherwise, you risk losing out on compensation due to missing the claims deadline.
Do I Need an Amputee Lawyer?
You do not need an attorney to file a civil claim. California civil laws allow individuals to sue others without involving lawyers. However, just because you can proceed without a lawyer does not mean that you should.
At the May Firm, we understand that hiring a lawyer can seem a daunting prospect. However, remember that you deserve to secure damages for the harm you’ve suffered. Hiring a lawyer can make this process easier – let’s consider why.
How Can an Amputation Attorney Help?
An amputation attorney plays a vital role in securing compensation for injured clients. Specifically, here’s how an amputation lawyer can help.
- Proving liability: It’s not always simple to show who caused your injuries. An amputation lawyer has the experience necessary to identify the person(s) to blame.
- Defending your legal rights: Every personal injury victim has legal rights. Your amputee lawyer will ensure you understand these rights and, crucially, how to pursue them.
- Valuing your claim: From lost wages to prosthetic limbs, you need to know how much your claim is worth. Your attorney will ensure that you sue for all losses related to your injury – including pain and suffering.
- Gathering evidence: Your attorney can identify what evidence you need to prove your claim. They will gather and present this evidence in the most compelling way. They’ll also identify possible weaknesses in your case and how to overcome them.
- Negotiating settlement: An experienced amputee lawyer knows how much your claim is worth. They won’t let insurance companies overlook your legal rights. And they’ll help you decide whether to accept or reject an offer, based on the facts.
- Answering your questions: Lawsuits are complicated. Your lawyer will answer any questions you have to ensure you feel confident in your strategy. They should make you feel supported and championed at every step of the process.
- Running a trial: Some claims do require formal courtroom trials. An experienced injury attorney can present a robust but eloquent case in your favor. They will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
At the May Firm, we’re standing by, waiting to help. If you lose a limb as the result of an accident, contact us now to discuss your case.
How to Choose a Los Angeles Amputation Injury Lawyer
When you search for “amputation lawyers in California”, how do you know where to turn? There’s unfortunately no simple answer to this. The right lawyer for you depends on many factors. However, here are five things to consider when choosing an amputation attorney in CA.
1. Look for Experience
All personal injury claims are potentially complex. This is especially true for injuries with long-term consequences, such as amputation injuries. An experienced lawyer knows:
- What your case could be worth
- What legal rights you have
- How to determine who to sue
- How to build a strong case in your favor
You can choose a lawyer who does not specialize in personal injury claims. However, they may not understand the nuances involved in such cases. You will have the best prospects of success by choosing an experienced attorney.
2. Ask Questions
Your lawyer works for you. That means they should be happy to answer any questions you have. The legal process is complicated, particularly for traumatic injuries like amputations. You should feel supported at every stage.
No question should be too much trouble for the right amputation injury lawyer.
3. Check for Past Successes
Your amputee lawyer should have a track record of successful personal injury claims. This means they know what it takes to win cases like yours. Search the firm website or look online to learn more about a law firm’s track record.
Not all law firms post successful verdicts. However, your attorney should be able to describe past success stories if requested.
4. Read Online Reviews
Search for client testimonials or reviews. You’re looking for trends e.g. praise for communication or how they handle cases.
But if a law firm does not have many reviews, don’t worry. You can base your decision on other factors – after all, not all clients leave reviews!
5. Check the Payment Terms and Fee Structure
An attorney’s fee structure should be transparent and easy to understand. For example, at the May Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients do not pay us anything unless we win their case. If we are successful, they pay us a pre-agreed amount to cover costs such as legal fees.
The right amputee lawyer will be happy to explain their fee structure to you.
6. Trust Your Instinct
This final point is crucial. Ultimately, you need to trust your own judgment. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule a meeting with an attorney and visit their offices in person. You can get a sense if the lawyer, and the law firm, are right for you.
We offer every prospective client a free, no-obligation meeting. We’ll sit down with you an listen to your story. If you have a claim, we’ll explain how we can help. And if you’re happy to proceed, we can get to work immediately on your behalf.
Need a little longer to make up your mind? We understand. Simply let us know when you’re ready to proceed.
Remember, even with the right lawyer on your side, there’s no guarantee of success. However, you’re giving yourself the best chance by hiring the right amputee lawyer for you.
Amputation Injury Lawyers in California
Amputation injuries are devastating – and often life-changing. If you lose a limb due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve legal advice you can count on.
You deserve the May Firm. Our highly experienced attorneys have supported numerous amputee victims through their personal injury claims. Although we can’t truly understand what you’re going through, we know what it takes to make a catastrophic injury claim.
We understand what matters to our clients, and we do everything possible to fight for justice. From pain and suffering to medical bills, we’ll help you claim the damages you deserve. Every client becomes part of the May Firm family. We’re here to support you at every stage of the process – we’re the law firm that cares.
Our amputation injury attorneys don’t charge anything unless they win your case. Please don’t hesitate to call us to schedule a free, no-obligation meeting. If you have a claim, we’ll clearly explain your options. And if you hire us, know that we’ll work tirelessly on your behalf.
Contact the May Firm now to schedule a meeting.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and may not represent the current law in the recipient’s jurisdiction. The article should not be interpreted as professional legal advice from The May Firm or the individual author, nor is the information intended to substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. The article, nor any of the information included, should not be used to act or refrain from acting without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s jurisdiction. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.
