Amputation Injury Attorney in Portland, Oregon

There are some injuries that change people's lives forever. Amputation is a paramount example of this. Losing a limb is something most people never suspect will happen to them, and yet there are more amputees than you may expect—there are currently around two million in the U.S., with an average of 507 people losing a limb each day, according to the Amputee Coalition.

If you or someone you love has recently experienced a catastrophic injury like this and would like to speak with an amputation injury attorney, reach out to me at the Injury Lawyer PDX, LLC. From my home base in Portland, Oregon, I represent accident victims throughout Clackamas County, Washington County, Multnomah County, Marion County, Lincoln County, and Tillamook County.

Common Causes for Amputation

In terms of personal injury, an accident that results in disfigurement or amputation is classified as a “catastrophic injury.” These are injuries that you do not heal from, do not get better with time, and will continue to impact you for the rest of your life. Because of the lasting effects of an injury that results in amputation, it’s crucial that you get the professional help you need—both legal and medical.  

Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help immensely and help you get the compensation you deserve. There are several different types of accidents that can result in amputation, and because these cases can be so complicated, you’ll want a lawyer with detailed knowledge of amputation and disfigurement law. Some common causes of amputation include: 

• Car accidents 

• Construction site accidents 

• Equipment malfunction 

• Accidents involving machinery 

• Pedestrian accidents  

• Firearm or firework accidents 

• Bacterial infections 

• Crushing accidents   

• Animal attacks 

Possible Complications

Anyone who has experienced a traumatic injury like this that resulted in the loss of a limb knows there are countless complications that can arise because of it, including: 

• Increased risk of infection: Bacterial infections are much more common in amputations and can increase healing time and cause other illnesses like pneumonia and sepsis. 

• Ongoing rehabilitation: Many amputees require ongoing rehabilitation for their injuries and must relearn how to perform everyday tasks and basic physical skills. This is likely to last for years if not your entire life. 

• Pain: Pain is almost always a byproduct of a traumatic injury, but with these injuries, you also have the possibility of phantom limb pain (PLP) which is unique to amputees. It’s estimated that anywhere from 60% to 80% of amputees feel this and it can result in chronic pain, as well as psychological and emotional distress. 

• Costly procedures, equipment, and prosthetic limbs: Amputees typically have to undergo countless surgeries and procedures in addition to needing medical equipment like prosthetic limbs that will need to be maintained and replaced for the rest of their lives. 

• Therapy: Emotional distress, depression, and anxiety are all common responses to losing a limb and must be addressed with regular mental health counseling and potentially medication.  

• Lost wages: For many people, losing a limb will mean they aren’t able to perform the type of work they did before. This could mean they need additional training to move into a new line of work while in other cases it may mean you’re on partial or full disability and can no longer earn an income. Even in the most favorable cases, you will likely be unable to work for several months or years due to your accident.  

By filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit, you can recover compensation for these complications and other life changes that have resulted from your amputation. To discover what your case is worth, reach out to me at Injury Lawyer PDX, LLC in Portland, Oregon, and schedule a free consultation.  

Oregon’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law

In any personal injury case, gathering and presenting enough evidence and documentation is key to mounting a successful claim. Even so, you’ll also have to take into account how state law may affect you. Oregon works under the modified comparative negligence model for injury claims like this. Essentially, this means that fault can be shared between the two parties involved in an accident. When this happens, it will reduce the total settlement you receive. 

For instance, if you lost a limb in a car crash and were determined to be 20% at fault for the accident, then your total settlement would be reduced by 20% to account for your portion of the blame.  

It's also important to note that you can only seek damages from the other party if you hold less than 50% of the total fault. If you hold more than 50% of the blame, then you’ll be barred from seeking any damages. Even if you know you were partially to blame, it’s still in your best interest to consult a trusted injury attorney in your area. After evaluating your case, your lawyer will discuss your best available options for pursuing recovery.