Amputation – Loss of Limb Litigation

In most instances, amputation is thought of as the removal of a body
part via surgery or trauma. It is usually performed to stop the spread
of a disease or limit an existing malady.

Amputation has a rather colorful history starting in the 15th
century when doctors performed surgical intervention on gangrenous or
severely injured limbs. "Needless to say the results were often less
than perfect due to infection and major blood loss," indicated
Christopher Mellino, of the Mellino Law Firm in Cleveland, Ohio.
Amputations weren't performed with any degree of frequency until the
19th century when anesthesia was introduced into the equation and blood
loss and infection control became more effective.

By the time the 20th century rolled around, the better the medicine,
the better the amputations – often resulting in prosthetic limbs and
longer, healthier lives. In the 21st century the major reasons for
amputations include gangrene, diabetic foot infections, bone
infections, cancerous bone or soft tissue tumors, and traumatic limb
injuries. The amputation itself results from negligence in gangrene
cases, or as the result of vascular injuries that were not recognized
soon enough to be treated in a conventional manner.

"In fact, failing to diagnose vascular insufficiency when the
arteries in the leg are blocked from blood clots is a common source of
below or above the knee amputations," said Mellino. Other loss of limb
injuries may be the result of a person losing the function of a limb
due to a nerve injury. In addition, there is also the medical
mismanagement of a diabetic foot that may result in a medical
malpractice case, although these amputations may also be due to
gangrene.

In dealing with amputations over the years, I have seen many
different forms that included fingers and toes as well as portions of
toes or fingers. Calculating a just compensation in these cases is
difficult," added Mellino. Prosthethics are costly and need to be
upgraded and replaced over the course of their useful life and if the
amputation that resulted in the need for prosthetics was due to a
negligent act by someone else, the person who caused the injury should
bear the costs.

The costs don't just stop there either. An amputee may be looking at
significant expenses to modify vehicles, their workplaces or their
homes. In home renovations to accommodate the injury should not be the
responsibility of the victim either. This is another element used in
the calculation of damages when such a case makes it way to the courts.
"We also factor in medical bills, rehabilitation, pain and suffering,
therapy, lost wages and loss of consortium, etc," explained Mellino.

This isn't an easy area of the law and many of the clients that
Mellino handles have faced a lot of devastating trauma. Mellino's
reputation for treating his clients with respect and dignity is
well-earned, and he will go to great lengths to ensure his clients get
justice and fair compensation.

To learn more about Cleveland medical malpractice, Cleveland malpractice lawyer, Cleveland medical malpractice, Cleveland medical malpractice lawyer, visit Christophermellino.com.