Everything can change in the blink of an eye. When a worker suffers an amputation injury at work, the aftermath is more than just physical — it is an upheaval that affects every aspect of life. Amputations are among the most severe consequences of work-related accidents. These life-altering injuries can occur in various industries, often leaving workers facing a long road to recovery and adaptation to new life circumstances.
As you confront this new reality, know that you are not alone. The path to recovery is paved with rights and remedies, and understanding them is the first step toward reclaiming control of your future.
How common are amputation injuries after a workplace accident?
The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported almost 20,000 amputations resulting from work-related accidents from 2015 through 2021. More than 50% of these injuries were within the manufacturing sector, 10% in construction, and the remaining in various sectors including retail, transportation, administrative, agriculture, forestry, real estate, and mining industries. These accidents were most frequently the result of falls and workers getting caught in dangerous equipment.
Do I have to pay for treatment after the accident?
If the accident occurred while on-the-job, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help cover the cost of treatment and rehabilitation as well as wages from missed work due to the injury. They can also help cover the cost of medical devices, such as any needed prosthetics after an amputation injury.
Workers may also be eligible for benefits compensating for the loss of future earning capacity if the amputation affects their ability to work.
How can I better ensure I get my workers’ compensation benefits?
To help ensure fair compensation, injured workers should report the accident to their employer as soon as possible. Detailed documentation of the injury, medical treatment, and its impact on the worker’s life and employment is important to help better ensure a successful workers’ compensation claim. This documentation can provide aid when filling out the required paperwork for the workers’ compensation claim and, if needed, to defend the claim.
Amputations resulting from work-related accidents are traumatic events with significant repercussions for the injured worker. Workers can help gain some control over the situation by taking the time to understand the common causes of such injuries and how the workers’ compensation system is supposed to work in their favor.
