Losing a limb is a devastating and life-changing event. Experiencing such a tragedy somehow stings even more when it is because of an accident that was caused at work. Whether you lost your limb because it was lodged in a machine, or required amputation surgery because of another severe injury, your life is forever because of this catastrophic event.
Those who live without all of their limbs are not alone; in fact, nearly two-million Americans are missing limbs. Here, a workers’ comp attorney in Central Pennsylvania discusses the numbers behind loss of limb accidents at work:
- Every day in the United States, more than 400 people lose limbs. About 185,000 amputations occur in the U.S. annually, and 1 in 90 people live without a limb—a number that is expected to double by 2050.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 10,000 work-related amputations took place over a seven-year period. Over half of these injuries occurred in the manufacturing industry.
- Around 60 percent of occupational amputation injuries were caused by machinery and equipment, such as saws and presses.
If you lost a limb in a work-related accident, you can expect to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for costs related to the injury, including costs for surgery, medication, doctor’s appointments, and prosthetics. If you don’t feel you should be held responsible for these fees—you’re right.
The legal team of Schmidt Kramer has helped many victims of accidents receive the workers’ compensation they require to keep food on the table and cover the costs of medical bills. Connect with us today to find out if we can do the same for you. If you like what you’ve read, we encourage you to share this article on Facebook.