$48.5
Million
Truck Accident Case
We took more than 60 depositions in five different states. Because of Stephenson’s tireless advocacy, shortly before the trial was to commence, the defendants settled the case for $48.5 million.
A loss-of-limb injury usually means that a limb has been severed from the body due to accidental circumstances. An amputation can be a loss-of-limb injury, but the term amputation also covers surgical limb removal, as well as the removal of appendages such as fingers and toes. Indianapolis amputation lawyers must understand these legal differences to better represent their clients.
Somewhat more than half of all amputations in Indiana are due to diseases, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and cancer. However, 45 percent of loss-of-limb injuries in our state occur because of trauma, with pediatric amputations most commonly caused by lawnmower accidents. It’s estimated that roughly 30,000 traumatic amputations take place each year in the United States. Approximately 2 million persons are currently living with limb loss in our country; the number is expected to reach 4 million by 2050.
Amputations and loss of limbs require major changes in the accident victim’s life. Such changes are not only physical, requiring prosthetics and therapies of several types, but also include mental and emotional issues, because a person with an amputation must adjust to a radically different life. Often a person is left permanently disabled, saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical and other related expenses weighing on them and their family.
If you have experienced the traumatic loss of a limb, or if a loved one has, resources are available online to help you. Furthermore, if you believe that the limb loss was caused by someone else’s recklessness or negligence, the personal injury attorneys at Stephenson Rife are here for you.
Nothing will ever fully remove the pain of losing a limb. But you can get compensation for that loss to help you return to as normal a life as possible. Call the Indianapolis amputation injury lawyers at Stephenson Rife at (317) 680-2501 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Us?
Because Experience and Compassion Matter
The lawyers at Stephenson Rife have over 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases. This experience is why other Indiana law firms consult with us when they need help. And this experience lets us serve you well, regardless of the circumstances of your case. Because our attorneys have previously handled hundreds of trials and settlements, almost nothing surprises us, and there is no challenge we are unwilling to face — just the opposite. We enjoy a good challenge and are known for taking some of the most difficult cases and getting positive results.
But that is only half of why you should choose Stephenson Rife. Just as importantly, we care about clients like you. We understand the pain you are suffering and know you need compassion when dealing with an attorney. You will always find that compassion at Stephenson Rife.
Reasons Amputations and Limb Losses Occur
Severe accidents of many types can either sever limbs on their own or require life-saving medical treatment that leaves no option but to amputate. The most common reasons that amputations and accidental limb losses occur are:
- Motor vehicle crashes. Vehicular collisions are the No. 1 cause of traumatic amputations. Those who are especially vulnerable to limb loss are motorcyclists and bicyclists, but any accident victim who experiences blunt force trauma or severe burns can require life-saving surgical amputation. Many motor vehicle accidents are caused by persons operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who otherwise exhibit reckless behaviors such as texting while behind the wheel.
- Accidents at work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that 2,644 amputations happened in the workplace in 2015. Of that number, 57 percent were in manufacturing settings, 10 percent happened on construction sites, and 10 percent happened in the combined wholesale and retail trade. Other trades that carry significant risks of limb loss include agriculture, forestry, the oil and gas industries, and other industrial worksites. Occupational injuries can be due to owners or managers who do not detect dangerous conditions, or who refuse to correct them, leading to catastrophic injuries or deaths.
- Product defects. Often it is children who suffer when it comes to product defects. Small fingers and toes can become entangled in all sorts of mechanisms, even toys and recreational equipment. One example is a play area slide that was recalled in 2016 that is considered responsible for two accidental finger amputations.
Occasionally, medical mistakes that indicate malpractice can mean an amputation is necessary. Not providing an acceptable medical standard of care can result in an infection or other problem that necessitates a partial or full limb amputation to save the patient’s life. If you have suffered an amputation due to a suspected medical error, Indiana medical malpractice attorney at can help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our Client Suffered A Leg Amputation. Our Firm Obtained A $15 Million Settlement For Them.
Stephenson Rife obtained a settlement of $20 million Canadian which amounts to approximately $15 million U.S. in a trucking case that resulted in a leg amputation of our client along with other orthopedic and internal injuries. This result was reached within 10 months of filing suit. The team at Stephenson Rife worked feverishly to hire the appropriate experts to build a strong case on liability, punitive damages, and economic damages suffered by our client.
Have you lost a limb due to the negligence of another? You need a team of lawyers that won’t rest until you have received the compensation you deserve. Call Stephenson Rife at (317) 680-2501 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer that cares.
The Costs of Amputation And Limb Loss
Arguably there is no more personal injury you can experience than losing a part of your body. Such catastrophic physical damage often translates into huge financial and emotional costs, with numerous psychological scars left behind. Older figures for Indiana indicate that medical costs for the average amputation are roughly $100,000 in the first year; and medical costs, in general, have risen sharply since 2007. Lifelong costs for an Indiana resident with an amputation in 2007 were at least half a million dollars. Again, medical and rehabilitative costs have climbed dramatically since then.
Some of the many factors that contribute to the need for medical services and related resources are listed below.
- Prosthetic limbs improve a person’s quality of life and can even help them avoid total disability, allowing them to regain productivity. However, prosthetics must be tailored to the individual, which makes them expensive. Patients also require physical therapy to adjust to prosthetics, and artificial limbs must be replaced or upgraded regularly.
- A loss-of-limb accident can require psychological and occupational therapy in addition to physical therapy. It is common for a person with a traumatic amputation to need psychiatric or psychological therapy to cope with feelings of loss, anxiety, depression, and any related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- When a person loses a limb, some form of rehabilitation is always required. In addition to learning how to perform daily tasks under new circumstances, a person with an amputation often needs to adjust to the demands of a new type of occupation.
- Modifications to homes and vehicles. Changes to the physical setup of a home, as well as to a motor vehicle—or even the need for a new vehicle—are not uncommon for a person with an amputation. Railings, ramps, vehicular hand controls, and other adjustments can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A new vehicle outfitted for someone with an amputation can easily top $40,000.
- Pain medication and other treatments. Any time a person undergoes the loss of a limb, pain is part of the process, without question, and several different medications may be required. Additionally, persons with amputations can experience “phantom limb” pain, meaning they feel pain in a limb that is no longer there. Pain medication and other therapies are often needed to help the person live with the problem.
Having one or more limbs amputated can shake the financial foundations of the strongest family. The person with an amputation may discover that returning to work or finding new work is next to impossible, so lost wages become an issue. Add to this fact the many financial costs of recovery, and the person with an amputation and their loved ones can struggle mightily when it comes to financial survival. If someone else’s negligence is responsible for your financial difficulties, seeking experienced and compassionate legal assistance is well worth considering.
How We Can Help
Don’t Fear Skyrocketing Medical Costs
Few people can afford even a fraction of the costs associated with amputations. And without proper medical assistance, your quality of life will deteriorate significantly. Our law firm can help by getting you the money you need to pay for your medical care. We will fully investigate your case and determine liability. If another party is responsible, our attorneys will uncover evidence that proves they are liable.
Furthermore, we will accurately calculate all current and future costs to ensure you get every dollar you deserve. Without our assistance, an insurance company might try to only pay for the least expensive treatment or try to deny the non-medical expenses you incurred. We will never allow that and will always fight for every dollar you are eligible for.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Stephenson Rife, we try to answer your questions before you ask them.
How Much Will an Indianapolis Amputation Attorney Cost Me?
We take your case on contingency. That means we only take a percentage of the money we win you after the case is complete.
Do I Have to Pay If You Don’t Win Me Money?
No. If we can’t get money for you, your case is free, regardless of how much time we spent on it.
Will I Have to Pay for a Consultation?
No, all consultations are completely free, even if you decide not to retain our services.
Can I Get Compensation If a Doctor Amputated a Limb When They Shouldn’t Have?
Yes, that is medical malpractice, and you can get compensation for that. Our attorneys will explain your options during the initial consultation.
I Can’t Work After an Amputation. Can I Get Compensation for That?
If another party is liable for your injury, you can get compensation for any lost wages due to that injury.
If you have additional questions, any of our experienced amputation injury lawyers will be happy to answer them in person, online, or over the phone.
What Is Your Next Step toward Justice?
Consult With An Amputation Lawyer at Stephenson Rife
Personal injury claims can be costly to pursue, and many law firms are not in a position to effectively reach a resolution in these cases. You can be assured that our investigative team at Stephenson Rife goes to work immediately to uncover the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why,” and “how” of any loss-of-limb case. We are committed to bringing together the most qualified experts available to uncover what happened.
Both Mike Stephenson, with his more than three decades of experience, and Brady Rife, with his diverse experience in personal injury litigation, will commit the highest standards of client care to your case. We offer free consultations and would like to discuss how we can be of service to you. Please call us today, or use our confidential online contact form.
If you or a loved one has suffered a loss of limb due to the negligence of another, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Call us today at (317) 680-2501 to speak to an experienced amputation attorney and learn about your legal options.