Loss of Limb and Workers' Compensation in Portland
Whether a traumatic amputation or a surgical amputation, loss of limbs is some of the most severe and consequential injuries in the workplace. This type of catastrophic trauma can have profound, life-changing effects and typically requires costly long-term care.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 6,000 reported work-related amputations resulted in days away from work in just one recent year. The median recovery time for these injuries was more than three times greater than the median recovery time for all workplace injuries.
If you suffered an amputation injury or loss of a limb in a workplace accident in Portland or surrounding areas of Oregon, you have the right to seek money in a workers’ compensation claim. At Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., our team can help you pursue the full extent of the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to learn more in a free case evaluation and advice about how our law firm can help you seek the benefits you need.
What Is Amputation or Loss of Limb?
An amputation is the removal of a limb or other body part through trauma, illness, or surgical intervention. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately 45 percent of all amputations result from traumatic injuries.
How Do Workplace Amputation Injuries Happen?
Here are some common causes of traumatic amputation and loss of limb in workplace accidents:
- Machinery accidents– Working with conveyor belts, compactors, and other dangerous machinery presents the risk of having limbs or digits caught in and amputated by powerful and unforgiving mechanisms.
- Fires and explosions– Workplace fires and explosions can result in severe burn injuries that may require partial or complete amputation of damaged body parts.
- Inadequate training– When workers do not receive the occupational safety training needed to handle dangerous equipment and tools safely, preventable mistakes can result in limbs or digits being sliced, crushed, burned, pulled, or twisted off limbs or digits.
- Improper work equipment– If workers are not supplied with reliable safety gear and good-quality equipment, even small mistakes or defects can result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic amputations.
- Falling or flying objects– Sharp or heavy objects that fall from high places or go flying at high speeds from machinery can easily crush or slice vulnerable body parts and result in amputation injuries.
- Falls from heights– Workers who fall from heights onto lower levels can suffer amputations if they fall onto sharp objects or have their limbs twisted or crushed by the forces of the fall.
- Motor vehicle accidents – A large percentage of workplace injuries are caused by transportation crashes involving motor vehicles, forklifts, and other heavy equipment. A motor vehicle accident can result in crushing and shearing injuries that cause amputation or loss of limb.
Complete vs. Partial Amputation
A partial amputation occurs when there are still ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, or another soft tissue connection between the damaged limb or digit and the rest of the body. Partially amputated body parts are challenging to reattach, so some partial amputations require complete surgical removal.
A complete amputation occurs when the amputated limb or other body part is entirely severed from the body with no remaining tissues or structures still attached — for example, an entire leg or entire arm. In some situations, if action is taken quickly enough, it may be possible to reattach completely amputated body parts.
Amputation Injury Medical Care Costs and Treatments
No matter the cause, an amputation is a severe injury with many life-changing consequences. In addition to the loss of a limb or digit, amputation injury victims can suffer dangerous complications such as infections, skin problems, blood clots, and shortening of muscle tissue. They may need to undergo surgery and receive extensive treatments from various medical professionals during a lengthy healing process.
Emotional and psychological difficulties are also common. Many amputation victims suffer from “phantom pain,” or the perception of physical pain or discomfort from the severed part. Anti-depressants, nerve stimulation treatments, and certain therapies are often used to ease symptoms of phantom pain for injured workers.
Common medical expenses with amputation injuries include the costs of:
- Ambulance rides and emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization and acute care
- Reconstruction, rotationplasty, and other surgeries
- Outpatient visits to generalists and specialists
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Prosthetic device fitting and osseointegration (OI)
- Psychiatric therapy and emotional support
Overall, amputation victims require many different types of treatment throughout their lives for comprehensive care of their injuries.
Workers’ Comp and Disability Benefits for Loss of Limb
If you suffer an on-the-job injury such as an amputation, you may have the right to benefits from a workers’ compensation claim. Most Oregon employers with one or more regular employees are required to carry workers’ comp insurance or be self-insured against work-related injuries.
Workers’ compensation claims can provide benefits to cover medical costs and a portion of lost wages for long enough to help injured workers get back to work. With certain permanent injuries, such as amputations, workers may not ever return to work, so they may be entitled to long-term or lifetime workers’ comp benefits.
After your initial injuries stabilize and you reach maximum medical improvement, your doctor will typically assign you a disability rating. Your age, overall health, education level, work history, and the type and severity of the amputation will all affect this rating. Your disability rating will be a significant factor in determining how much compensation you can receive in permanent partial disability benefits or permanent total disability benefits.
In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, an injured worker may be entitled to receive payments of disability benefits from a federal program, such as Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). An amputation does not mean you are automatically qualified, but you may be entitled to SSD or SSI benefits if your amputation prevents you from maintaining gainful employment or if your income is below certain thresholds.
Did You Lose a Limb in a Portland Work Accident?
If you suffered the loss of a limb due to a Portland work-related amputation, you can protect your rights as an injured worker by:
- Seeking prompt medical care from the nearest emergency medical center
- Notifying your employer as soon as possible or asking someone to do so for you
- Completing a Form 801 to report the injury to your employer’s insurance company
- Attending all follow-up appointments for proper care and cooperating with the insurance provider
- Submitting to independent medical examinations (IMEs) as necessary
- Notifying your employer immediately if your doctor says you can return to work
- Contacting a Portland workers’ compensation lawyer for dependable legal advice
Contact Our Experienced Portland Workers’ Comp Attorney Today
If you suffered the loss of a finger, limb, or another body part in a Portland workplace amputation injury, the law firm of Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C. can help you determine your next best steps. Contact us today to discuss the details of your situation in a free consultation and claim review.