Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
According to the US Department of Labor, approximately one half of all amputation injuries occur in the manufacturing sector in the United States. While amputation injuries are more likely to occur when you use machinery or heavy equipment as part of your job, amputation can unfortunately happen to anyone who is involved in a serious workplace accident.
Amputation is always traumatic, whether you lose an arm, a leg, a finger, a toe or any other extremity. Amputation can necessitate corrective surgery to reattach the limb when possible, or surgical intervention to provide a prosthesis when your own limb cannot be reattached. In some cases, neither reattachment nor the use of a prosthetic is possible and the damage simply cannot be repaired.
Cumming, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Amputation Injuries
Amputation injuries can be extremely severe and crippling. The loss of a limb can not only necessitate corrective surgery and limit function and mobility, but it can also lead to a number of complications including:
- Infection
- Swelling
- Improper healing leading to further amputation
- Decreased range of motion
- Blood clots
- Phantom pain (As many as 50-80 percent of patients develop phantom limb pain.
- Heart complications
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
Cumming, Georgia workers’ compensation benefits should provide complete payment of all medical expenses associated with the amputation. Workers’ Comp should also cover future medical costs you may incur, as well as transportation to and from doctors appointments and adaptive devices that you may need in your home. If your employer attempts to deny your claim for benefits or to deny you access to any treatment deemed medically necessary, you should contact an experienced Cumming, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer right away to make sure you get the benefits that you deserve.
Amputation: A Catastrophic Injury under Georgia Workers’ Compensation
Because amputation is such a serious injury, you will likely be eligible for disability benefits under Georgia workers’ compensation laws. These disability benefits can cover both partial or total disability. If your amputation or resulting complications make it impossible for you to work at all, then you can receive benefits equal to 2/3 of your weekly wages up to $500 per week. If your amputation or resulting complications reduce your earning power, such as by requiring you to change jobs, you should receive a portion of the difference between what you earned before and what you earn after the amputation.
Typically, disability benefits will end in Georgia after 400 weeks of benefits. However, amputation can be considered a catastrophic injury. This means that you could potentially receive ongoing disability benefits for the rest of your life. To learn more about qualifying for permanent benefits or for help in proving that your injury should be classified as catastrophic, consult with an experienced Cumming, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer.
Getting Help from a Cumming, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When you lose a limb or suffer an amputation injury in a workplace accident, you need a Cumming, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney with experience in amputation cases. Put your trust in Van Sant Law, LLC. We have extensive experience representing clients with amputation injuries throughout the Cumming, Georgia area and we will put our legal knowledge to work to serve as a dedicated advocate for you.
Have You Been Injured On The Job?
If you’ve been injured at work you need to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 855.GA.INJURY or 404.991.5950 to schedule your free consultation.