Atlanta Loss of Limb Attorney
Catastrophic Injury Accidents Involving Lost Limbs in Georgia
Although many types of workplace injuries can lead to long-term health issues, but losing a limb or other body part is devastating and life-altering. Amputation can permanently affect how an employee performs his/her job duties and remain employed. When a worker in Georgia suffers a catastrophic workplace injury, he/she may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
If you have lost a limb in a workplace accident in Atlanta, let my firm, The Law Office of Arthur E. Snead, LLC, help you recover the maximum workers’ comp benefits on your behalf. I can review your case, determine all the potential parties who may be liable for your injury, negotiate with your employer’s insurance company, and obtain the most favorable result.
Call (404) 800-1181 or complete our online contact form today to request a free case evaluation.
The Causes of Workplace Amputations
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employees in the manufacturing industry, followed by construction, transportation/warehousing, retail trades, as well as oil and gas.
Most incidents involving loss of limb occur when workers operate the following types of inadequate safeguarded or unguarded machinery:
- Power presses and power press brakes
- Powered and non-powered conveyors
- Drill presses
- Milling machines
- Printing presses
- Meat grinders and meat-cutting band saws
- Food slicers
- Roll-bending and roll-forming machines
- Grinders
- Slitters
- Shears
- Forklift use
- Powered and non-powered hand tools
- Trash compactors
There are three types of mechanical components that commonly result in amputation: point of operating, power-transmission apparatuses, and other moving parts. The “point of operation” is the area of a machine where it performs work on material. Power-transmission apparatuses include belts, gears, chains, flywheels, pulleys, spindle, couplings, and other components transmitting energy. Other moving parts include any components that move (e.g., rotating, reciprocating, transversing, etc.).
Common causes of amputation include:
- Contact with moving machinery
- Crushing injuries from falling objects or machinery
- Becoming trapped over heavy equipment or a motor vehicle
- Falls from heights
Common Types of Amputation Injuries
Since almost one-third of all injuries at work involve hands, the most common amputation injury is loss of a finger/thumb or partial hand amputation, followed by the loss of an arm. Most amputations involving the arm happen at the elbow.
Other common types of amputation injuries include:
- Loss of foot
- Loss of toes
- Loss of leg
- Shoulder disarticulation
- Hip articulation
- Loss of one or both eyes
The Impact of Amputation
Following an incident involving loss of limb, the injured worker may need to stay in the hospital for one to two weeks. However, the recovery period depends on various factors, such as the extent of the injury and the individual’s age and health.
Most amputees require long-term care, such as therapy and rehabilitation sessions and prosthetics coupled with periodic adjustments for a lifetime. Not only does a loss of limb negatively impact a person’s ability to work and earning capacity, but it is also a financial burden posed by medical expenses. In addition, it is not uncommon for amputees to suffer depression and emotional distress following the amputation.
Ready to Help You Today
I, Attorney Arthur Snead, understand how difficult the journey to recovery after a loss of limb can be and I am here to help you obtain a fair compensation. I am well-versed with Georgia workers’ comp laws to guide you through the intricacies of the legal system. Do not hesitate to let me fight for you from start to finish.
Contact my firm today at (404) 800-1181 to discuss your case and learn how I can help you!
