We can’t ever imagine needing to have a limb amputated. We take good care of ourselves. Besides, only old people and war veterans need amputations, right? Wrong. There are a lot of things that can cause us to need an amputation. A bad car accident can damage a body part so bad that we need to have it amputated. Blood diseases can cause us to need extremities amputated. So can diabetes.
If you learn that you need to have a limb amputated, you’re going to be scared. You are going to have to face life without a leg or an arm. You can’t imagine how you’re going to work and take care of your family. You have no idea how you are going to enjoy life like that. You’re already facing an uphill battle. The one thing that gives you 
some reassurance is that you’re going to be treated by an expert surgeon who will do the best job possible. So, what happens when this trusted doctor messes up? What do you do when he amputates the wrong limb?
Medical Malpractice in Florida
If a surgeon actually amputates the wrong limb, he will surely be found liable for medical malpractice. A doctor owes his patients a certain standard of care. This standard of care requires that he use his skill and training to carefully, safely and properly perform his operation. When he fails to do this, he is negligent. There are a few reasons why a doctor could amputate the wrong body part. Some of these include:
- Simple mistake – perhaps the chart designates the left foot as the part to be amputated and the surgeon accidentally marks your right foot. Or, a doctor gets distracted and instructs his prep team to prepare the wrong body part.
- Amputation not necessary – Sometimes, when treating a patient in a trauma unit, a doctor makes a bad judgment call. He may believe it’s necessary to amputate when it wasn’t really necessary at all. This is just a matter of poor judgment. If most other surgeons would not have agreed to amputate, the doctor may be held liable for negligence.
- Lack of training – the doctor may not be trained properly. He may have never performed this type of operation and wasn’t properly prepared to do it.
Regardless of the reason, this should never happen. You wouldn’t think a doctor or surgeon would make this kind of mistake.
You Are Entitled to Compensation for the Incorrect Amputation
As you can imagine, damages in an amputation case are quite high. Not only are we dealing with one limb being amputated. But, in most cases, the correct limb must also be amputated. So, rather than learning to live with one leg, you may be left with no leg at all! Just because a surgeon removes the wrong foot, doesn’t mean the other foot no longer needs to be amputated.
If you or a loved one have a medical malpractice claim for amputation, you will be entitled to the following damages:
- Medical bills – The medical bills for this type of injury will be very high. No insurance company is going to reimburse you or cover amputation of a limb if it wasn’t medically necessary. Plus, the amount of physical therapy and corrective surgeries for this type of injury is great.
- Lost wages – You may never work again after an injury of this magnitude. The defendant will be liable for any lost wages you suffer as a result of their mistake.
- Pain and suffering – This is when damages are high for an amputation case. You can only imagine how sympathetic a jury is going to be if a doctor cut off the wrong body part. They are going to be willing to award a lot of money for pain and suffering. Your lawyer will remind the insurance company of this when it comes to settlement negotiations.
- Home and Automobile Modifications – Because of the new limitations you will experience due to losing a limb, you may need modifications made to your home, work, and automobile.
Your Navarre, Florida personal injury lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. They will push for a high settlement given the nature of your injuries and pain and suffering involved.
Contact a Florida Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have suffered an amputation accident, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer in Navarre today. It’s bad enough that you need to have a limb amputated. It’s a whole other story when a surgeon cuts off the wrong limb! You will now, more than likely, have to live with neither limb since the correct limb will still need to be amputated. Your personal injury lawyer will do what it takes to get you the maximum amount of compensation.
Contact a local personal injury today and schedule your initial consultation. It is absolutely free and it can give you the peace of mind you need right now. Your attorney will go over your case and give you an idea of what it may be worth. Remember – you pay nothing until you settle your case!