It goes without saying that amputating a limb can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. This might seem obvious when it comes to losing a leg or arm, but just losing a finger could have far greater consequences than one might expect. If you’ve lost a limb due to the intentional wrongdoing or negligence of another party, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Read on to learn about damages in Texas amputation injury lawsuits.
What Damages Might Be Recoverable in an Amputation Injury Claim?
The lifetime cost associated with an amputation can range from a few thousand dollars to well over $1 million. The expenses can add up quickly and may include:
- Emergency care,
- Initial hospitalization,
- Rehabilitation,
- Doctor visits,
- Physical and occupational therapy,
- Psychological counseling,
- Mobility aids,
- Home and vehicle modifications, and
- Prosthetics purchase and maintenance.
In addition to the above-mentioned costs, there could be other expenses incurred while healing from the injury. Examples include child care, domestic assistance, and transportation.
You might also miss an extended period of time from work. Fortunately, lost income and benefits could be included in the settlement calculations.
Are Future Damages Recoverable?
Maybe. Personal injury victims not only have the right to seek damages already incurred as a result of the tort, but they are also able to pursue damages that are reasonably certain to be incurred in the future. These might include future medical bills and loss of income.
What Are Non-Economic and Punitive Damages?
The damages we’ve already discussed are called “economic damages” because they are objectively verifiable. Amputation victims might also be entitled to intangible “non-economic damages” such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, physical impairment, disfigurement, and mental anguish. Family members of the injured party may be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium.
If the defendant acted with particularly egregious behavior—for instance, if you were hit by a drunk driver—it may also be possible to obtain punitive damages. These are intended to punish the defendant and to deter similar misconduct.
What Factors Could Influence the Settlement Calculations?
A multitude of factors could influence the potential value of your personal injury claim. Examples include:
- The cost of medical care,
- Whether you will need ongoing care,
- How the injuries are impacting your quality of life,
- Whether you have taken steps to mitigate the damages,
- Whether you were partially liable for the accident,
- The amount of income lost,
- Whether your income-earning capacity has been reduced,
- Whether punitive damages are warranted,
- Your age,
- The amount of time it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement,
- Your pre-injury income, and
- The types of costs incurred as a result of the accident.
Discuss Your Amputation Case with a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer
If you would like to speak with a personal injury attorney in Houston about your amputation injury claim, contact Chelsie Garza, P.C. Chelsie is an accomplished trial lawyer who is passionate about helping accident victims and their families obtain the compensation they deserve. Call (713) 893-8808 or send us an email to set up a free case review.
