Category: Amputation

I’m so sorry to hear about your amputation. I am also an amputee, and I can relate to the challenges that you are most likely facing after the loss of your limb.

Circulation problems are a huge cause of amputations in the U.S. If you have a blockage or a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to your legs, the circulation to your legs is reduced. You may have developed pain in your feet or legs that may keep you awake at night. You may have also developed foot ulcers or even black areas on your feet, legs, or toes.

If your arterial disease is left untreated, normally your pain will increase. Tissue in your legs will eventually die because of a lack of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause infection and gangrene to set in. At some point, amputation may be recommended. However, amputation is a last resort, and your doctor will likely not recommend it unless he or she has decided there is no other way to improve your circulation.

It’s likely that your doctor will do everything possible to save your leg. Unless there is an emergency situation with your limb, as a patient you should always get a second opinion before agreeing to an amputation. In some cases, it is possible that the leg can be repaired enough to avoid an amputation.

If you believe that your doctor unnecessarily amputated your limb when it could have been saved, or if you believe that negligent treatment by a doctor caused you to lose the limb, you should speak with an attorney. An attorney can request your medical records and make a determination about whether you have a strong case.

If you are exploring your legal options after an amputation, call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567. My team can help. Call us today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation.

I am sorry to hear about the issues you are experiencing. It’s important to know that you are not alone. Thousands of Americans lose limbs each year. For most people, losing a limb involves a difficult grieving process. That grieving process is different for everyone and normally depends on a number of factors such as your gender, age, support network, other issues in your life, how you lost your limb, and how you have coped with other problems in the past.

Some signs and symptoms of depression include a lack of energy, a loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, loss of interest in otherwise enjoyable activities, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. Depression is difficult but not uncommon, and can be overcome. You should seek professional help. There’s nothing wrong with talking to a counselor or another mental health professional, especially after so big a loss as the loss of a limb.

Besides working with a professional, there are steps you can take yourself, such as getting enough rest, limiting your alcohol use, exercise, eating right, seeking support from friends and family, visiting a support group, watching comedies or doing things that make you laugh, and meditation. If you are having physical issues with the limb loss beyond the emotional issues, you should talk to your doctor. If traditional medicine doesn’t work, you should consider alternative medicine, like massage, acupuncture, or hypnosis. It’s hard to recover from depression if you are in physical pain.

Legally, you may have some options that could help you recover from your limb loss. If the amputation was caused by the wrongdoing of another party, such as a doctor’s malpractice or the reckless behavior of another driver, you should speak with an attorney. You have suffered a serious loss and are entitled to be compensated for that loss. The compensation can help you rebuild your life in a positive way.

Call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567 if you have suffered a limb loss because of another person’s wrongful actions. I can help. I am not only a personal injury attorney, I am also an amputee. Call today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation.

I am also an amputee, as well as a personal injury attorney in California. According to experts, one of the best things an amputee can do to make the security process go more smoothly, especially during the holidays, is to give yourself plenty of time. Travelers should arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights, so that there is plenty of time to get through the security screening.

The TSA’s website (tsa.gov) has a wealth of information about TSA screening procedures. There is a number to call for questions, and a list of frequently asked questions that may help. You can also download a special card that will discreetly notify a TSA officer of a disability or medical condition that may affect the screening – however, you still must be screened before boarding the plane.

If you travel fairly regularly, you may consider enrolling in TSA’s precheck program. Members of the program go through a security check in advance, submit paperwork, and pay a fee, but once they are in the program they do not have to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or jackets during the screening process at the airport. If you travel with a companion, the companion must also have enrolled in the precheck program in order to accompany you.

As an amputee, I understand how frustrating dealing with airports and security checkpoints can be for some amputees. If you believe that your legal rights as an amputee have been violated, you should call an attorney. Call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.

I’m sorry to hear about your accident. Working with insurance companies for prosthesis coverage can at times be tricky. It can be especially difficult when you are seeking coverage for something that’s not medically necessary, such as cosmeses.

Cosmeses are cosmetic coverings that give prosthetics a more natural appearance. Unfortunately, some insurance companies have claimed that cosmeses are not reimbursable under their policies, because they are purely cosmetic and are not necessary to the operation of the limb.

As an amputee, you understand that appearance is important to almost all amputees. Also, cosmetic coverings are typically very durable and can actually enhance the device. Many doctors consider the cosmetic cover of the limb an essential part of the device, and one that should not be chosen by an insurance company or any other party except the amputee.

You can pursue several avenues for paying for the cosmetic covering for your limb. If your insurance company refuses to approve the expense, you can file an appeal. You may also wish to get an attorney involved who can help make a strong case that the insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your coverage. Also, if you were in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you may be able to obtain compensation from his or her insurance company or personal assets for your damages.

Call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Lawyer at 310-385-0567 if you are an amputee and you need assistance with a legal claim. I am also an amputee and I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.

I’m sorry to hear about your diabetes and the complications it is causing you. The good news is that it is possible to turn your health situation around with some effort. Also, you are not alone. About 30 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, which is almost 10 percent of the population. Many of those people do not know they are living with the disease.

Although most people are familiar with diabetes, not as many people are aware of the potential complications of diabetes. Many people do not know that foot ulcers are a very common problem for diabetics. Though foot ulcers may sound relatively minor, they can be one of the most dangerous complications of diabetes. They can also be very avoidable.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a type of open sore on the foot that does not heal quickly. On average, diabetic foot ulcers last around a year, and in about half of all patients they come back. About 15 percent of all people who are living with diabetes will develop foot ulcers, and between 15 and 25 percent of those people will experience an amputation as a result. However, those amputations are preventable.

In order to prevent foot ulcers, diabetics should inspect their feet daily. If the diabetic can’t do it himself or herself, a family member can help. Diabetics should also not smoke. Diabetics should wear high-quality footwear, and should take good care of their feet. Doctors should examine the feet on a regular basis. Finally, the individual should eat healthier and exercise on a regular basis.

If you have suffered an amputation due to diabetes, in most cases you cannot pursue a lawsuit. However, in some situations, you may be able to pursue a legal case against your doctor or the hospital. If you believe your amputation could have been prevented, or if the health care provider did not properly handle your amputation, you should speak with an attorney. Call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. I’m not only an attorney, I am also an amputee. Call today to learn more.

Whether or not you can sue your doctor for your amputation depends on the circumstances of your amputation, but is probably unlikely. Amputations are a real danger for diabetes. About 30 million adults have diabetes, and over 1.5 million new cases develop every year. Many cases of diabetes can be treated or prevented in patients by controlling weight, exercising regularly, and healthy eating.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is caused by high blood sugar caused by a lack of insulin. The lack of insulin can be caused by problems with the pancreas. Most diabetics need to control their blood glucose level to prevent complications, such as amputation. This happens through medications, diet, and exercise. Meal planning is especially important for diabetics, and good nutrition can help improve blood glucose levels.

Normally, in order to prove medical malpractice, you must show that the doctor treating you failed to follow the accepted standard of care in the medical community. You must also show that the failure to follow the standard of care resulted in your harm. In most cases, the doctor is not liable for a diabetic patient’s amputation. However, there are some circumstances in which a doctor could be held liable for amputation. If the doctor failed to take proper steps to prevent the amputation, such as acting quickly in treating foot ulcers, the doctor may be held liable. Also, if the doctor failed to give the patient proper advice in how to deal with the condition, the doctor may be held liable.

If you are an amputee and you believe you may need legal advice, call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567. I am not only a personal injury attorney, I’m also an attorney. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.

I’m sorry to hear about your amputation. As an amputee myself, as well as a personal injury attorney, I understand the challenges facing new amputees. As an upper-extremity amputee, you basically have four options: do not use a prosthesis, use a passive prosthesis, use a functional prosthesis, or do some variety of the above.

Functional prostheses are devices that can help an amputee perform tasks, while a passive prosthesis normally exists only for cosmetic appearances and are not functional. Functional prostheses can be either powered by the body or powered electrically. Normally, body-powered devices are lighter, cheaper, and easier to repair, but can be difficult to use and may not look as good.

The good news is that you have more options today for a prosthesis than amputees have ever had before. The kind that you will get depends a lot on where your amputation is, what you will need the prosthesis for, your willingness to learn to use new technology, and how you plan on paying for the device.

However, the odds are good that you will not have to pay for the device out-of-pocket. If you have insurance, your insurance company should provide coverage, or you may be able to get on a plan. In some cases, amputees are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare to cover the cost of the device. Finally, if your amputation was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as through an accident or medical malpractice, you may be able to file a lawsuit and receive compensation, which can help to offset your medical expenses.

If you have suffered an amputation because of another party’s negligence, call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.

I am very sorry to hear about your amputation, particularly in connection with so joyous an event as the birth of a child. Yes, you may be able to sue the hospital for your amputation. In order to sue a hospital, you must be able to prove that the hospital committed medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice has occurred if a health care professional breached a duty to his or her patient, and that breach caused an injury. In deciding whether a doctor breached his duty to a patient, courts typically consider whether the doctor provided the same standard of care as other doctors in the medical community. Normally, medical experts are involved who will look at the situation, what actions the doctor or hospital took, compare those actions with the actions of others in the same medical community, and determine whether negligence occurred.

If you contracted an infection in a hospital which resulted in the loss of your limbs, it’s likely that the hospital was negligent in some way. Hospital-acquired infections are becoming more prevalent, and unfortunately some of those infections are resistant to antibiotics.

If you have become an amputee because of a hospital’s negligent actions, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles Amputee Attorney, at 310-385-0567. I am also an amputee as well as a personal injury attorney. I can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation.

I’m sorry to hear about your amputation. As an amputee as well as a personal injury attorney, I know that skin care is essential for good health as well as mobility. Prosthetic sockets can trap sweat, and prevent air from circulating around the residual limb, which can lead to infections. If left untreated, infections can cause irritation and eventually skin breakdown, which can prevent you from using the prosthesis for a period of time.

However, there are steps you can take to avoid a problem with the prosthesis. Firsts, keep the limb clean and dry. It should be thoroughly dried before wearing the prosthesis or else fungus could begin growing. Everything that comes into contact with your skin should be washed and rinsed well, such as liners, socks, and sockets. If the limb is too sweaty, you may wish to use antiperspirant. Finally, you should not shave the limb or expose it to the sun without sunscreen.

If you take steps to prevent skin breakdown and blisters, they are much less likely to occur. You still need to check for them. Ask your doctor about the best way to treat blisters and skin breakdown. You may also get skin rashes. Some amputees prefer to use diaper rash cream or a light dusting of powder (although you should ask your doctor before using the powder. If your skin does have a breakdown, talk to your doctor right away.

As a new amputee, it is likely that you have a great deal on your mind related to the amputation. If your amputation was caused by another party’s wrongful actions, such as an automobile accident, you should speak with an attorney. You may have legal rights to pursue. If you wait too long, you may lose some of those rights.

Call me, Conal Doyle, Amputation Attorney, at 310-385-0567 if you have any legal questions related to your amputation. I am not only a personal injury attorney, I am also an amputee. Call today to learn more.