Amputations resulting from a car accident or pedestrian accident injury or a dog bite are not uncommon. If your doctor has informed you that you, or your loved one, will need to undergo an amputation, know that you are not alone. In fact, about 1.8 million Americans are living with amputations, many of those individuals being Woodland Hills residents. Amputation of the leg — either above or below the knee — is the most common amputation surgery.

Losing a hand, foot, arm or leg can be a devastating event for an individual, mentally, physically, and financially. The lost body part has been a part of us our entire lives and we have become dependent on it. For children, it can feel embarrassing to have to struggle with a lost limb. Not only that, but the financial costs relating to amputations can be quite high with long hospital stays, on-going physical therapy, prosthetic limbs, and more. For these reasons, it is important to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you ensure you receive the full monetary compensation you deserve.

According to experts, an amputation can make induce grief the same way as a death. It is after all, a serious loss that can never be fully recovered. If you or a loved one have recently undergone an amputation and you are struggling with feelings of despair, shame, or grief, you may want to keep reading…

Those who experience an amputation often go through the five recognized stages of grief often associated with mourning a loved one. These stages are:

1. Denial. This stage is quite common among those who sustain a sudden amputation, such as in a pedestrian or auto accident.

2. Anger. The victim may try to find someone to blame for the amputation, even those who just may be trying to help.

3. Bargaining. This can include trying to talk the doctor to postpone the operation, or praying for a miracle.

4. Depression. Different from clinical depression, the symptoms can be similar: sleeping problems, feelings of hopelessness, and a negative view of the world.

5. Acceptance. Eventually, most victims of amputation are able to accept what happened and move on with their lives.

Many people benefit from professional help coming to terms with the loss of a hand, foot or limb. There are support groups and professionals trained specifically to work with amputee victims. It is important for these victims to know that physical recovery can be expensive, slow, and painful.

If you or a loved one suffered an amputation as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the financial and emotional burden of recovering alone. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights and potential for financial recovery.

For more information on dealing with the types of serious injuries that can result from auto accidents, contact Woodland Hills accident lawyer Barry P. Goldberg today.