Amputation Injuries
Each year many Ontario residents are involved in accidents that cause them to lose a limb. The most common accidents are related to motor vehicles or motorcycles, but construction site accidents, falls from heights, and product defects can also be responsible for amputation injuries.
Learning to cope with a traumatic amputation can be difficult, particularly at first. War Amps Canada notes that in addition to enduring pain and relearning how to do everyday tasks, emotional issues such as depression may come into play. Some people describe the time following an amputation like a roller coaster ride – they experience feelings of numbness, anger, anxiety, shock, denial, hopelessness, helplessness, and disconnection. It’s no wonder, when new amputees may be struggling to deal with:
- Stump bandaging
- Prosthetic fitting
- Stump and socket hygiene
- Phantom limb pain
- Weight management
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
One key to thriving as an amputee is to have good resources. Amputees can and do live fulfilling and active lives as long as they have the right supports in place, both human and mechanical. Your personal team members may include family , medical professionals, friends, and teammates. Organizations such as The War Amps can be a wonderful resource for information, and reaching out to other amputees can also be helpful.
Taking good care of your physical and mental health, is also extremely important. This could include finding new ways to cope with stress, such as journaling, seeking counselling, playing music, meditating, or connecting with your spiritual side. If you smoke, stop! Don’t drink during your recovery period, as it may interfere with medication, cause mental distress, or cause you to fall. Eat right, drink plenty of water, and practice good hygiene. Follow your physical therapist’s advice for exercising, and focus on healing.
You will also want to find mechanical devices that help to make your life easier. You may need to fit your car with hand controls in order to get to and from work. You may want to purchase a special prosthetic arm to allow you to play baseball, or you may need to buy a “swim” leg. A hands-free crutch or a custom-made feeding device may increase your independence. Various types of equipment can help amputees to live their best lives, but they can be costly.
As you research prosthetics, you will hear about advances in technology that make these devices more comfortable and natural-feeling than ever. Johns Hopkins University has developed a robotic arm, for example, that has 26 joints, can curl up to 45 pounds and is controlled by a person’s mind. In addition, new techniques have been developed for amputees, including one called osseointegration which features a titanium implant in the patient’s stump and computerized feedback that helps with balance. However, the best prosthetics and treatments can also be very costly. For example, Osseointegration procedures in Canada are only done in Montreal, and are not covered by OHIP.
Personal Injury Claims
If you have recently become an amputee due to an accident, you may be able to bring a personal injury law suit, which can help to defray the costs of the expenses you may face. Damages may include compensation for pain and suffering, as well as for lost wages. Expenses such as caregiver costs or medical expenses can also be part of the settlement. And being financially more secure can help you to access the best care.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
One mistake that people often make when considering taking legal action is to hire a lawyer they know who may have drawn up their will, or helped to probate their grandmother’s estate. But personal injury cases are very demanding; they require strict adherence to deadlines and exacting paperwork. When launching a personal injury action, it’s best to work with a lawyer who has experience with these types of cases. That’s why your search for legal representation should start at a personal injury law firm.
Most Ontario personal injury law firms will provide you with a free consultation with a lawyer. Preparing for this consultation ahead of time can help you to get the most of it. Make a list of questions you may have about filing a claim. Gather as much information as you can about the circumstances surrounding the accident (including photos and witness statements if you have them), as well as copies of any medical records that you have. After hearing your story, the lawyer will be able to tell you what your options are with regard to filing a suit.
If you are thinking of working with the lawyer you meet, make sure that he or she has a communication style that matches yours. (If you prefer to communicate in a language other than English, look for a personal injury law firm that offers services in your mother tongue.) Don’t worry about having to come up with money to pay your lawyer now; most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, which means that they don’t charge until their client receives compensation.
Amputation injuries are never an easy road to recover from. Speak with a personal injury lawyer today, and receive the compensation you deserve.