Here are some common causes and types of workplace amputation injuries and what you can do to get compensation if you have been injured.
Amputation injuries require long-term medical care, lifestyle modifications and can significantly lower your life’s quality. Let’s discuss the common causes and types of workplace amputation injuries. We’ll also look at how you can get your compensation after suffering an amputation injury at work.
Common Causes of Workplace Amputation Injuries
Moving Machines
Every time you work around forklifts, conveyors, grinders, roll bending machines, or compactors, you face the risk of your limbs being trapped and amputated.
Fall from Heights
While ladders and scaffolds make work easier, they pose great dangers in the event of a slip and fall. A fall from a ladder or scaffold can lead to traumatic fractures and cuts that could leave you without an arm, toe, or leg.
Inadequate Training or Lack of Safety Gear
Proper training and wearing adequate safety equipment can go a long way in protecting workers from injuries at work.
On the other hand, a lack of proper training leaves you vulnerable when handling dangerous machines. Improper use of machines or lack of training could lead to injuries that could result in amputation.
Falling Objects
Debris and other heavy objects could fall on you while in the workplace leading to the removal of one or more of your limbs.
Types of Amputation Injuries
Here are the common types of amputation:
- Shoulder disarticulation
- Partial hand amputation
- Partial foot amputation
- Ankle disarticulation
- Hip disarticulation
- Below-the-knee amputations
- Above-the-knee amputations
Recovering From the Mental Effects of Amputation
If you’ve recently suffered an amputation due to a work-related injury, it’s important to understand that you’re not alone. There are many people who have been in your position and have gone on to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Here are some tips for how you can mentally recover from an amputation.
Talk to Someone Who Understands
After an amputation, you may feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You may even feel like you’re the only one who has ever gone through something like this. But that’s simply not true. There are many people who have lost limbs, and there are even more who understand what you’re going through.
One of the best things you can do for your mental recovery is to find someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through. This can be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else who can offer support and understanding.
Focus on What You Can Do, Not What You Can’t
It’s easy to dwell on everything you can’t do after an amputation. For example, you may not be able to participate in the same activities you once enjoyed. However, it’s important to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.
There are still many things that you can do, and you may even find new hobbies and activities that you enjoy. It’s important to focus on the positive and not dwell on the negative.
Take Things One Day at a Time
The recovery process after an amputation can be long and difficult. From coming to terms with the amputation itself to learning how to live with a prosthetic, there are many challenges that you may face.
It’s important to take things one day at a time and not try to do too much at once. At the same time, it’s also important to set goals for yourself. Having goals to work towards can help you stay motivated and focused on the future.
Find a Support Group
This is probably one of the most important things you can do for your mental recovery. There are many support groups available, both in person and online. These groups provide a great way to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. They can also be a great source of information and support.
Getting Workers’ Compensation for Amputation Injuries
After an amputation, you may suffer from persistent pain and disfigurement. You may also experience difficulties reintegrating into the community and may experience depression, anxiety, and other amputation-related psychological symptoms.
Additionally, you may incur high social and economic costs due to expensive medical care involving surgeries and physical therapy. What’s more, you may not be able to return to your pre-injury job due to the injuries.
Therefore, you should generally file a work injury claim to recover all these damages. It is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney. Working with an experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you build a strong case, increasing your chances of fair compensation. An attorney can also negotiate with the insurer on your behalf and fight any evidence that may be used to try to devalue or deny your claim.
When choosing your attorney, ensure you hire someone well-versed with workers’ comp laws, highly experienced, and with a proven track record.
St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorneys
Have you suffered a workplace-related amputation injury? At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, we understand how rough the recovery journey after an amputation can be, and we are here to help. Contact us for a free case review.