An amputation injury attorney in California represents people who have lost a limb due to accidents, negligence, or unsafe conditions.
According to the ACL, about 185,000 amputations occur in the U.S. each year, and many are linked to trauma such as vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, or defective products.
In California, these cases are considered catastrophic because they involve lifelong medical costs, prosthetic care, and vocational loss.
At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we build cases with detailed medical and legal evidence to maximize recovery. Clients describe our team as “relentless and responsive,” a reflection of our focus on both results and personal care.
What Is an Amputation Injury Under California Law?
California law recognizes amputation injuries as catastrophic harm when a body part is lost either traumatically (such as in an industrial accident) or surgically (when removal is required after severe damage). These injuries often affect arms, hands, legs, or feet, leaving victims with permanent disability and the need for long-term medical care.
Proving an amputation case requires showing negligence: that another party owed a duty of care, breached it, and caused the injury. Evidence may include workplace safety violations under OSHA, crash reports from the California Highway Patrol, or professional medical testimony.
Because the consequences are permanent, courts in California treat amputation injuries as among the most serious personal injury claims.
Types of Amputation Injuries
Amputation injuries are generally classified into two categories, which carry different medical and legal implications in California cases.
Traumatic amputations
- Caused instantly by accidents such as machinery entanglements, car crashes on the I-5, or explosions at job sites.
- Often linked to negligence in workplace safety or defective products.
- These cases usually involve both personal injury claims and, when applicable, workers’ compensation.
Surgical amputations
- Performed by doctors when a limb cannot be saved after severe trauma, infection, or burns.
- Common after catastrophic freeway accidents, crush injuries, or delayed treatment in hospitals.
- Legally, these are treated as catastrophic outcomes requiring compensation for future prosthetics, surgeries, and therapy.
Other distinctions include partial vs. complete limb loss, and upper vs. lower extremity amputations. Each type affects damages differently. For example, losing a dominant hand in a workplace accident may lead to higher settlements than partial loss of a toe, because of its impact on earning capacity and independence.
Common Causes of Amputation Injuries in California
Amputation injuries in California often result from severe accidents and unsafe conditions. The most frequent causes include:
- Workplace accidents: machinery entanglements, construction site crush injuries, and industrial equipment failures. OSHA violations often play a role.
- Motor vehicle crashes: high-speed collisions on freeways like the I-405 or I-10 can cause traumatic amputations.
- Defective products: exploding e-cigarettes, malfunctioning power tools, or unsafe medical devices.
- Medical malpractice: delayed diagnosis of infection or poor surgical care leading to preventable amputation.
- Burns and explosions: fires, chemical spills, or gas leaks that destroy tissue beyond repair.
California courts assess whether negligence, product defects, or unsafe working conditions caused the injury. Evidence can include Cal/OSHA reports, California Highway Patrol accident records, or professional medical testimony from trauma and rehabilitation centers such as Cedars-Sinai and Rancho Los Amigos.
How California Law Handles Amputation Injury Claims
Amputation claims in California fall under personal injury law. To recover damages, victims must prove:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Process: investigation, filing, discovery, and resolution. Most cases settle, but some catastrophic injuries may go to trial. Because amputations are catastrophic, compensation is typically higher.
Statute of Limitations for Amputation Injury Cases in California
The deadline to file most amputation lawsuits in California is two years from the injury.
Exceptions:
- Discovery rule: time starts when injury is discovered.
- Minors: until age 20.
- Government claims: six months to file.
Missing these deadlines usually ends the case. Acting quickly preserves both rights and evidence.
Compensation and Damages in Amputation Cases
Amputation injuries often result in significant compensation because they are classified as catastrophic. Damages include:
- Medical expenses: surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation
- Prosthetics and replacements: often $15,000–$90,000 each, with ongoing costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Disfigurement and loss of quality of life
Settlements vary. Minor amputations may resolve in the hundreds of thousands, while major limb loss can reach several million, especially when lifelong care is required.
Free Consultation With a California Amputation Injury Attorney
Amputation cases are life-changing and time-sensitive. Crown & Stone Law, P.C. is available 24/7 to review your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you need for medical care, prosthetics, and long-term support.
Request your free consultation today, in person at our Beverly Hills office or virtually anywhere in California.
