Chicago Amputation Lawyer

Fighting for Maximum Compensation for Victims of Limb Loss

Chicago amputation lawyer representation is essential for those who’ve lost a limb because of someone else’s negligence. Whether the result of a car crash, medical malpractice, or surgical error, amputation injuries bring lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

At Chicago Injury Center, we fight for individuals across the city facing this life-changing reality. Our legal team works to hold negligent parties accountable and secure compensation for the long-term impact of limb loss.

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

At Chicago Injury Center, our top-rated amputation injury attorneys have successfully represented clients across a wide range of cases.

$12,000,000 – Surgical Error

During what was supposed to be a routine cardiothoracic procedure, Maria, a 49-year-old mother of two, suffered a catastrophic brain injury and below-the-knee amputation due to a severe drop in oxygen levels. Our investigation revealed failures in intraoperative monitoring and delayed response by the surgical team. Her life was permanently altered, with profound cognitive and mobility challenges.

$11,000,000 – Defective Product

Carlos, a seasoned factory worker, lost his dominant hand to a faulty punch press. The machine had a known defect, and we proved that the manufacturer failed to warn the employer or correct the issue despite documented complaints. Carlos faced a lifetime of reduced function and income.

$7,900,000 – Motorcycle Crash

Jordan was riding his motorcycle through an intersection when a vehicle made a sudden left turn in front of him, causing a collision that led to the amputation of his leg. At just 28 years old, he faced a lifetime of challenges, including the need for a prosthetic limb, rehabilitation, and ongoing emotional trauma.

$7,000,000 – Product Liability

David, a 36-year-old landscape technician, suffered a traumatic arm and hand amputation when his limb became entangled in a defective tiller. The equipment lacked essential safety guards and had no proper shut-off mechanism. Our legal team uncovered prior complaints about the same defect, which the manufacturer failed to address.

Why Choose Chicago Injury Center

At Chicago Injury Center, our top-rated Chicago personal injury lawyers are nationally recognized by Super Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum for delivering results in serious injury cases. Our legal team is committed to helping you hold negligent parties accountable and demand compensation to rebuild after such a life-changing injury.

Types of Amputation Injury Cases We Handle

At Chicago Injury Center, our personal injury attorneys handle a wide range of cases involving both traumatic amputations and surgical amputations. Traumatic injuries often occur in car accidents, workplace incidents, or machinery-related accidents, leading to sudden limb loss. Surgical amputations may result from medical malpractice, vascular conditions, or untreated infections.

We represent clients who have suffered upper limb amputations involving arms, hands, or fingers, as well as lower limb amputations affecting the foot, leg, or toes. No matter the cause, we fight for full compensation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Amputation Injury in Chicago?

Amputation injuries can result from a wide range of causes, many of which are preventable.

Traumatic amputations are often caused by violent accidents on I-90 or Lake Shore Drive, machinery incidents at industrial job sites, severe burns, or crush injuries.

Health-related causes include serious medical conditions such as vascular disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or blood clots, diabetes-related complications, frostbite—particularly during harsh Chicago winters—severe infections like sepsis, or even tumors and cancer.

Medical malpractice is another serious factor. Delayed diagnosis, failure to treat serious conditions, poor post-operative care, and medication errors can all result in an otherwise preventable amputation.

What Are the Most Common Complications Associated with Limb Loss?

Many amputees face serious and lasting complications that significantly affect every part of their lives, such as:

• Infections—especially at the surgical site—which can become life-threatening without proper care.
• Edema, or swelling around the residual limb, can interfere with prosthetic use and delay recovery.
• Residual limb pain, which is ongoing discomfort at the missing limb.
• Phantom limb pain (PLP)—pain or strange sensations felt in a limb that is no longer there.
• Contracture, where soft tissue tightens and limits joint movement.
• Muscle and joint weakness due to disuse and altered body mechanics.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially when the amputation injury was sudden or violent.
• Depression is also common, along with feelings of isolation and emotional detachment. In some cases, people struggle with suicidal thoughts, underscoring the need for both medical and emotional support after amputation.
  

What Damages Can Amputation Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover tangible losses like medical expenses for surgeries, prosthetic limbs, physical therapy, and future lost wages due to limited work ability. They may also include vocational retraining and long-term pain management costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the personal toll of the loss of a limb, including phantom limb pain, emotional distress, chronic physical pain, loss of mobility, disfigurement, and the overall impact on the patient’s life and daily functioning.

Punitive Damages

These are awarded when the defendant’s conduct goes beyond negligence and involves willful disregard for the victim’s safety, such as deliberate understaffing, falsified records, or knowingly denying critical medical care.

What Is the Average Amputation Injury Settlement in Chicago?

Based on recent case data, the average amputation injury settlement is approximately $8.6 million, while the median settlement is around $4.2 million. Reported settlements span a wide range, from as low as $27,500 to over $95 million, reflecting the complexity and severity of individual cases.

Several factors influence the value of an amputation settlement, including:

• Level and location of the body part affected
• Age and occupation of the victim
• Type of accident
• Liability and evidence
• Need for prosthetics and long-term medical care
• Impact on quality of life and emotional trauma

At Chicago Injury Center, we work closely with life care planners, medical experts, and vocational specialists to ensure every cost—both financial and emotional—is fully accounted for in your claim.

Example Amputation Cases in Chicago

Child Quadruple Amputation After Missed Sepsis Diagnosis

Eight-year-old Ashanti Norals suffered septic shock and lost all four limbs after emergency room staff at the University of Chicago Medical Center failed to promptly diagnose and treat septic arthritis. Despite classic signs of infection, antibiotics were delayed for over 24 hours.

Her condition worsened after being given Precedex, leading to cardiac arrest and limb-threatening vasopressor treatment. Her mother filed suit, alleging medical negligence and lifelong disability. The case settled for $32 million to cover medical costs and Ashanti’s future care needs.

Ironworker Severely Injured by Falling Steel Beam

Rick Blaisdell, a 35-year-old ironworker, suffered a traumatic arm amputation, brain injury, and internal damage when a steel beam fell on him at a Lisle construction site in 1999. He sued multiple parties, alleging unsafe site management. Only general contractor Frederick Quinn Corp. went to trial.

Blaisdell underwent multiple surgeries and was left with permanent disability and limited use of his left arm. The jury awarded him $20.9 million, finding Quinn Corp. liable for failing to ensure safe crane operation and jobsite supervision. Pre-trial settlements totaled $2.08 million.

Family Involved Fatal Cargo Accident on I-65

Six-year-old Allen M. Pierce died, and his father, Allen J. Pierce, lost his leg after a cherry-picker lift fell off a speeding flatbed truck and struck their vehicle. The family sued System Transport, Genie Industries, and Market Transport, alleging negligent loading, poor trailer selection, and inadequate safety warnings.

The truck driver was accused of speeding with over 44,000 pounds of unsecured cargo. The case settled for $15.6 million, with contributions from all three defendants.

Why You Need an Amputation Attorney

Hiring an experienced amputation injury attorney is critical because these severe injury cases are complex, high-stakes, and often disputed by insurers and defendants.

Proving liability and calculating long-term damages—such as medical costs, future lost wages, and pain management—requires strong evidence, expert testimony, and knowledge of how Cook County Circuit Court and other local courts handle personal injury claims.

A skilled amputation attorney fights to protect your rights and pursue full, fair compensation.

How Common Are Amputation Injury Accidents in Chicago?

According to OSHA’s Investigation Summaries, which compile data from employer-reported incidents and official inspections, more than 75 amputation-related accidents have occurred in Chicago-area workplaces since January 2020.

Where Do Amputation Injury Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Amputation injuries in Chicago often occur in high-risk areas such as busy roadways, industrial job sites, and healthcare settings.

Intersections like Cicero and Roosevelt or highways such as I-290 and I-55 are frequent sites of serious crashes that can cause traumatic amputations. Workplaces—including factories, warehouses, and construction sites tied to major employers like Caterpillar or Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant—pose dangers from heavy machinery.

Hospitals and clinics throughout the city also see surgical amputations tied to medical malpractice or misdiagnosis, often resulting in otherwise preventable loss of a limb.

What Laws Govern Amputation Injury Claims in Chicago?

Amputation claims in Chicago are governed by both local ordinances and state statutes.

The Illinois Tort Liability Act (745 ILCS 10/) outlines the rules for holding public entities accountable for personal injury, including amputation cases involving city-owned vehicles, public hospitals, or unsafe municipal property.

Medical-related amputations fall under the Illinois Medical Malpractice Act, found in section 2-622. This statute requires a certificate of merit from a licensed healthcare professional to pursue a claim.

Chicago also enforces safety standards through the Chicago Municipal Code, covering workplace conditions, property hazards, and public safety.

A key case, Holton v. Memorial Hospital, 679 N.E.2d 1202 (Ill. 1997), confirmed that a delayed diagnosis leading to the loss of a limb can constitute actionable malpractice.

How Long Do I Have to File an Amputation Lawsuit in Chicago?

In Chicago, the deadline to file an amputation injury claim depends on how the injury occurred. For most personal injury lawsuits, you have two years from the date of the injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

If your amputation was caused by medical malpractice, you generally have two years from the date you knew or should have known about the injury, with an absolute limit of four years (735 ILCS 5/13-212).

Who Is Legally Liable for Amputation Injury Accidents in Chicago?

In Chicago, several parties may be legally liable for an amputation injury, depending on the circumstances.

If the injury occurred in a car crash, the at-fault driver—or their employer, in commercial cases—may be held responsible. In workplace accidents, liability might fall on a third-party contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner if unsafe conditions played a role.

For medical malpractice, surgeons, physicians, nurses, or hospitals may be liable for surgical removal due to misdiagnosis or failure to treat a serious infection. Any party whose negligence directly caused the limb loss may be named in an amputation lawsuit.

Common Defenses in Amputation Injury Cases

In amputation cases, common defenses include comparative negligence, where the defendant claims you were partly at fault. We counter this by presenting clear evidence of the other party’s primary responsibility.

Another is the assumption of risk, often used in workplace or sports-related injuries—we challenge this by proving the risk was not fully disclosed or preventable.

In medical malpractice claims, providers may argue that the amputation was unavoidable. We respond with expert testimony showing how medical negligence or misdiagnosis directly caused an otherwise preventable amputation and demand full accountability.

How to Strengthen Your Amputation Case in Chicago

To strengthen your amputation injury case in Chicago, take immediate steps to protect your rights.

First, seek prompt and thorough medical treatment and follow all care instructions. Document everything—medical bills, missed work, and how the limb loss affects your daily life. If the injury occurred in a crash or on dangerous property, file a report and gather witness statements or photos.

Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters without legal advice. Most importantly, contact an experienced Chicago amputation lawyer who can preserve evidence, consult medical experts, and begin building a strong case for maximum compensation.

How a Chicago Amputation Attorney Can Help

A skilled personal injury attorney provides critical support at every stage of your amputation case. From the start, we will investigate the cause of the catastrophic injury, gather medical records, and identify all liable parties. We’ll work with expert witnesses to show how the injury was caused by trauma or medical negligence.

We will handle all communication with insurers, calculate medical costs, lost wages, and long-term needs, and negotiate for fair compensation. If needed, they’ll take your amputation claim to court to fight for your legal rights.

Amputation Injury FAQs

How much does an amputation injury attorney cost?

Our Chicago amputation lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we win compensation through a settlement or verdict in your favor.

Who can file an amputation injury claim in Chicago?

Anyone who has suffered limb loss due to someone else’s negligence—whether from a crash, medical error, or unsafe conditions—can file a claim. In fatal cases, close family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death action.

Will my case go to trial?

Most amputation claims settle out of court, but some cases—especially those involving disputed liability or high damages—may proceed to trial. Your lawyer will prepare your case thoroughly, whether for settlement or litigation.

Book a Free Consultation with a Chicago Amputation Injury Lawyer Near You!

If you or a loved one has suffered limb loss due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to get legal help. Chicago Injury Center offers a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay anything unless we win compensation for you. Contact us to schedule your free case review.