Easing the burden following traumatic amputations
Traumatic Amputation Injury
Amputation injuries can be physically and emotionally draining. Challenges can be varying; it could be physical, emotional, psychological, social etc. It can vary from individual to individual. Aside from the obvious physical injury, there can also be the emotional component to it that can debilitate the injured. While everyone reacts differently, there are common emotional stressors amputees endure; body/self-image issues, anger, adjustment issues, denial, shock, grief, anxiety, frustration, withdrawal - all of which tend to become life altering and extremely difficult to cope with, for the amputee and their family members.
Amputations can occur due to various reasons including serious accidents, during a complicated surgery, infection, amongst others. Amputations can also be full or partial loss of a limb. Either way, it is tragic and can be devastating. The truth is that an amputee will require life-long treatment, care, prosthetics. Costs related to care can become overwhelming. Access to care even more challenging. While you try to deal with the emotional upheavals surrounding the changes in your life, you will likely need a good team to support you.
If your amputation occurred because of an accident or surgical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation and benefits. If the injury was caused by an accident and the accident occurred due to no fault of yours then compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages (past and future), future care, loss of quality of life, may be available to you through a claim for negligence in a court of law.
Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule
You may also be entitled to no-fault accident insurance benefits through the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and benefits can be available for your medical bills, ongoing therapy, cost of prosthetics, income replacement, personal care support, housekeeping chores, amongst others. Amputations are defined in what constitutes a catastrophic impairment in (section 3.1(1) 2) of the legislation as below:
“2. Severe impairment of ambulatory mobility or use of an arm, or amputation that
meets one of the following criteria:
i. Trans-tibial or higher amputation of a leg.
ii. Amputation of an arm or another impairment causing the total and permanent loss of use of an arm.
iii. Severe and permanent alteration of prior structure and function involving one or both legs as a result of which the insured person’s score on the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, Version III, item 12 (Mobility Indoors), as published in Catz, A., Itzkovich, M., Tesio L. et al, A multicentre international study on the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, version III: Rasch psychometric validation, Spinal Cord (2007) 45, 275-291 and applied over a distance of up to 10 metres on an even indoor surface is 0 to 5.”
You may also be entitled to a disability claim that may pose challenges to you. All of this sounds all too much to comprehend and navigate through. Therefore, having the right treatment team and empathic, skilled lawyers will ease the burden somewhat.
Why Contact Us
Singer Kwinter has helped many injured victims and their families, and we pride ourselves in becoming a part of your team. We listen and hasten to provide the assistance you require. We understand the process can be overwhelming and challenging. While we understand that no amount of money can give you back your life before your injury, we will ensure you receive the compensation you truly deserve.
