The loss of a limb is undoubtedly one of the most devastating things any human being can experience. If you or someone close to you underwent an amputation when it was not medically necessary, you may have been a victim of medical malpractice. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our diligent Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys are committed to representing New York residents who have required an amputation due to a medical professional’s negligence.
An amputation refers to the surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity, such as an arm, leg, foot, or other body part. The amputation of any body part is a life-altering experience that can lead to serious health problems and psychological issues for a patient. According to The National Loss Limb Information Center, approximately 1.7 million people currently living in the United States can trace their loss of limb to an accident caused by someone else. Unfortunately, in some cases, an amputation is a result of medical malpractice. Common examples of medical malpractice resulting in a need for an amputation include but are not limited to:
- Surgery on the wrong body part, resulting in amputating the wrong limb;
- Failing to recognize and treat post-operative blood clots;
- Infections caused by surgical errors;
- Failing to monitor sugar level in a diabetic patient;
- Poorly applied cast, leading to compartment syndrome; or
- Misdiagnosis severe enough to result in an amputation.
In some cases, an amputation is medically necessary, while in other cases the amputation may have been preventable. If a medical professional’s carelessness, error, or wrongdoing led to your losing a limb, you can hold that medical professional accountable through a medical malpractice claim. In order to establish medical malpractice in New York, you will have to demonstrate that the medical professional caused your injury because he or she did not follow the accepted standard of care. The standard of care refers to how a reasonably prudent medical professional in the same specialty would have acted in the same or a similar situation.
The physical, emotional, and financial toll of an amputation can be completely overwhelming. Not only is the physical change difficult to handle, but also the disfigurement can lead to self-esteem issues and feeling depressed. An amputation can affect every aspect of your day-to-day life, including your ability to work. This is why New York law allows victims of medical malpractice who have suffered an amputation when it could have been prevented to recover a variety of damages. Examples of such damages include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, physical therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, the cost of assistive devices (i.e., a wheelchair, prosthetics, etc.), and the cost of future care.
If you believe that you or a family member required an amputation due to medical negligence, we can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our skilled surgical malpractice attorneys have substantial experience in these matters and can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your loss. We are dedicated to holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm that they cause. There is no charge for an initial consultation, so feel free to call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Orthopedist Malpractice in Syracuse, Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, February 26, 2018
Neurosurgery Malpractice in Syracuse, Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, February 23, 2018