Traumatic Amputation Injury Claims in Georgia

An amputation or loss of a limb is a catastrophic injury that changes your life forever. Your injury impacts every area of life, from your appearance, hobbies, and quality of life to your ability to work.

If someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your amputation injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Here is what you should know about your legal rights after suffering a traumatic amputation injury.

Amputation Injury Overview

Amputation is the loss or removal of an appendage or limb, such as a finger, hand, arm, or leg. Amputation injuries are broadly divided into two categories: surgical and traumatic.

• Traumatic amputations involve extremities lost in an accident or due to injury.
• Surgical amputations are performed due to disease, dysfunction, infection, or severe damage.

A traumatic amputation may involve the loss of a limb at the time of the accident, such as when an extremity is torn off by heavy machinery. More commonly, it involves limbs that are irreparably damaged and require surgical removal.

Types of Traumatic Amputation Injuries

Loss of limb is categorized as an upper or lower extremity amputation. Each is further classified by the level of amputation.

Upper Extremity Amputations:

• Forequarter: above the shoulder
• Shoulder disarticulation: at the shoulder
• Transhumeral: above the elbow
• Transradial: below the elbow
• Wrist disarticulation: at the wrist
• Transcarpal: finger or partial hand

Nearly 70% of upper-limb amputations occur below the elbow or at the transradial level.

Lower Extremity Amputations:

• Hip disarticulation: at the hip
• Transfemoral: above the knee
• Knee disarticulation: at the knee
• Transtibial: below the knee
• Ankle disarticulation: at the ankle
• Transmetatarsal or forefoot: toe or partial foot

➡️ About 7 in 10 amputations involve the lower limbs.

Traumatic amputations may result from:

• Crush injuries
• Avulsions
• Lacerations
• Twisting trauma
• Burns
• Secondary infections or non-healing wounds

How Common Are Amputation Injuries?

• Over 2 million Americans live with limb loss.
• 185,000 amputations are performed annually in the U.S.
• 45% (approx. 83,000) are due to traumatic accidents.

Georgia falls under the federal OSHA plan, as it does not operate its own state-specific plan.

What Causes Amputation Injuries?

The leading causes include:

• Diabetes and vascular diseases (54%)
• Traumatic injuries (45%)

Common traumatic causes:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Farm and lawn care equipment
• Machinery and power tools

  • 58% of work-related amputations involve machinery
  • 7% involve tools
• Construction and industrial workplace incidents

  • ~18,000 serious injuries like amputations yearly
• Electrical shock
• Medical malpractice
• Severe burns
• Explosions, firearms, and fireworks

  • 4% of fireworks injuries lead to amputations

What Is My Amputation Injury Case Worth?

Valuing a traumatic amputation case depends on multiple factors:

• Circumstances of the accident
• Type and severity of the amputation
• Long-term effects on mental health and mobility
• Ability to return to work or adapt to new roles
• Estimated cost of future medical care
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Degree of shared fault
• Insurance coverage

💡 Prosthetic limbs range from $5,000 to $70,000+ and may need replacement every 3–5 years. A Department of Defense study found that the lifetime cost of prosthetics for lower-limb amputees can reach $1.5 million.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Amputation Injury in Georgia?

If your injury was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Prosthetics and assistive devices
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket costs

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and PTSD
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

An experienced personal injury attorney at Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys will document your losses thoroughly and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Long Do I Have To File an Amputation Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?

Georgia has a 2-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. This countdown begins on the date of your accident or injury.

Contact Our Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Have you suffered a traumatic amputation injury in Georgia? You may be entitled to significant compensation. Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to advocate on your behalf and help you reclaim your quality of life.

Since 2012, we’ve secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injury victims. Our attorneys are committed to pursuing maximum compensation with compassion and strength.

Call 678-710-3304 to schedule a free case evaluation with a Georgia personal injury lawyer today.