Posted by : attorney stevelee

Maritime Amputation Injuries

Maritime work is dangerous. Routine exposure to cables, winches, blades, chains, and heavy equipment puts seamen at risk of amputation of limbs and appendages.

Maritime Amputation Causes

Many maritime workers use equipment capable of leading to the amputation of fingers, hands, arms, feet, and legs. Some of the most common causes of maritime amputation accidents include:

  • Improperly-maintained equipment
  • Lack of procedural, safety, and equipment training
  • Defective and malfunctioning machinery
  • Lack of safety guards on machinery

Living With an Amputation

The loss of an appendage or a digit is an extremely painful and traumatic experience. It can take a long time to heal from the damage caused by the nonsurgical removal of a body part.

If the amputation is only partial, or if there is significant damage to nearby bones, muscles, or tendons, multiple surgeries may be required.

After the physical damage has healed, amputees may have to relearn basic skills in order to perform routine daily tasks. If a prosthetic is needed, learning to use it requires weeks of training.

In addition to the physical limitations imposed by amputation injuries, amputees must cope with the psychological damage caused by their traumatic accident. Approximately 30 percent of amputees experience anxiety or depression. Many amputees must also cope with phantom limb sensation, a condition that causes victims to feel pain as though the lost body part were still present.

Compensation for Amputation Injuries

Amputations take an enormous financial toll on accident victims. The inability to work can result in a loss of income, and mounting medical bills add up quickly. If you’ve experienced an amputation due to a workplace accident, you have the right to compensation for your medical care expenses, loss of wages, disability, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering.

You need an experienced maritime injury attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.

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