Wanko Workers' Comp Lawyers logo
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
(985) 893-6530

Amputation Injuries

Amputation Injuries and Workers' Comp

Amputation injuries change lives forever.

Physical and emotional challenges, occupational and quality-of-life issues, and long-term disabilities are realities for those who have suffered an amputation injury. The good news is medical advances in recent years have made great strides when it comes to restoring the quality of life, independence and abilities of victims.

However, winning access to all of the medical care and rehabilitative services to which you are entitled is critical when it comes to making as complete a recovery as possible. These are expensive and complex claims that should always be handled by an experienced work injury lawyer in New Orleans, Covington or Raceland from the outset of your claim.

An amputation injury may result in the loss of fingers or toes, a hand or foot, or limb or multiple limbs.

  • Most victims are male.
  • Most are primary wage earners between the ages of 15 and 64,
  • Partial hand amputations are the most common, with more than 60,000 being reported each year.
  • Loss of a limb is the second most common amputation injury.
  • About 2 million people in the U.S. are living with a lost limb.

While significant advancements have been made when it comes to medical care and artificial limbs, the cost of an amputation injury is significant. The National Library of Medicine estimates life-time cost of an amputation injury at more than $500,000. An artificial limb can cost more than $50,000 and many will need to be replaced every 3-5 years.

The most common causes of traumatic amputation are:

  • Traffic accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Factory and warehouse accidents
  • Agricultural accidents, including lawnmowers
  • Building and care door accidents
  • Electrocution

Amputation Injury Claims

In addition to compensation for all medical expenses, including rehabilitation and home care, a workers’ compensation claim must also account for the cost of artificial limbs, lost wages and disability.

Cost of care and rehabilitation, as well as disability benefits, will depend upon the type of amputation injury. In many cases, quality of initial medical care can significantly impact how much of a limb is removed, which can have a major impact on long-term disability, quality of life and cost of care.

Lower-limb amputations:

  • Partial foot amputation
  • Ankle disarticulation
  • Below-the-knee amputation
  • Transfemoral amputation
  • Hop disarticulation
  • Hemipelvectomy

Upper-limb amputations:

  • Partial hand amputation
  • Metacarpal amputation
  • Wrist articulation
  • Transradial amputation
  • Elbow disarticulation
  • Above the elbow amputation
  • Shoulder disarticulation

In addition to workers’ compensation benefits for medical care, home care, lost wages and rehabilitation, workers who suffer an amputation injury on the job and are covered by workers’ compensation, are entitled to disability benefits.

Partial disability

Loss of a finger, thumb or toe: Two-thirds of wages for a period of between 10 and 50 weeks.

Loss of hand: Two-thirds of pay for 150 weeks.

Loss or arm: Two-thirds of wages for 200 weeks.

Loss of foot: Two-thirds of wages for 125 weeks.

Loss of leg: Two-thirds of wages for 175 weeks.

Permanent disability

Loss of a hand and foot or two or more limbs.

While impairment ratings are not required for most Louisiana workers’ compensation claims, these ratings are often relied upon by workers’ compensation insurance companies during the claims-settlement process. It’s also important to note that an impairment rating often will not be provided until an employee is determined to have achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI). Often the impairment rating is provided within a Functional Capacity Evaluation.

These are complex claims and a determination can have a major impact on the resources available to you for the rest of your life. The time to seek the advice of a New Orleans work injury lawsuit is not once you are unhappy with the terms of a settlement offer, although even then we offer free consultations and accept no fees or costs unless we can get you a better offer. Having experienced legal help at the earliest possible stage of your claim is the best thing you can do to protect your rights and the financial well-being of you and your family.

If you have been injured, call day or night for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 985-893-6530.

Louisiana Workers' Compensation Claims

-20 Years of Professional Experience- 

Will My Injury Be Covered?

Workers’ compensation covers both mental and physical injuries and occupational diseases.
Under Louisiana law, an accident refers to anything that is unexpected, unforeseen and occurs suddenly or violently – producing an injury.
The injury:
  • may or may not produce a disabling condition
  • may allow you to still work
  • may take you out of work
Generally, your compensation will not be affected depending upon who was at fault for the accident.
An occupational disease or illness is covered if it is the direct result of exposure to hazardous or toxic materials in the workplace. If you work in Louisiana’s oil and gas or chemical and petrochemical industries, you are at a greater risk to develop serious health conditions.

Common injuries suffered on the job include, but are not limited to:

Louisiana Workers' Comp Benefits

Will My Injury Be Covered?

In Louisiana, most workers are covered under Workers’ Compensation Statutes on the first day that they begin employment. These benefits extend to all workers whether they are employed full-time, part-time or seasonally.
Additionally, employees who are minors are also covered to the same degree as if they were adults.
Primary Types of Benefits:

Indemnity/Lost Wages — weekly payments based upon your average weekly wage; you will receive 66% of your average weekly wage capped at a maximum rate

Medical and/or Death — covers all necessary and reasonable medical treatment, including doctors visits, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, etc.

Mileage Reimbursement — travel related expenses to and from health care provider, pharmacy, etc. Vocational Rehabilitation program designed to retrain you in an attempt to return you to work for your previous employer, or find new work.

Contact Louisiana Workers' Comp

Whether you have suffered an immediate injury or have endured a long-term disability or chronic illness, you deserve to have the support you need to recover. Our work injury attorneys will provide you with nothing less than compassionate understanding and exceptional legal counsel.
We’re eager to start advocating on your behalf.
CALL US (985) 893-6530
Wanko Workers' Comp Lawyers provides its service in New Orleans, Covington, Houma, Thibodaux, Mandeville and all across Louisiana
Covington Location
19295 N 3rd St Ste 1 
Covington, Louisiana 70433
New Orleans Location
1140 St. Charles Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Thibodaux Location
406 West 3rd Street, STE 105
Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301

Disclaimer: The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute an attorney client relationship. We are workers compensation attorneys serving the entire New Orleans area including Larose, Golden, Meadow, Thibodaux, Houma, Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Metairie, Belle Chasse, Elmwood, Boutte, Harahan, Destrehan, River Ridge, Raceland, Slidell, Kenner and all of Louisiana. We serve St. Tammany Parish, Livingston Parish, Orleans Parish, and Jefferson Parish.
Copyright © 2022 Wanko Workers' Comp Lawyers. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy |
HTML Sitemap |
XML Sitemap
Powered by: