Illinois Amputation & Limb Loss Lawyer

Losing a limb changes every part of a person's life. Whether an arm or leg is lost in the accident itself or amputated by surgeons to save a life, the result is permanent and profound. At Collins Law Group, our Illinois amputation and limb loss lawyers represent people who lost a limb because of someone else's negligence, as part of our broader catastrophic injury practice.

Types of Amputation Injuries

Amputations are generally described as either traumatic or surgical, and as either upper-limb or lower-limb. Each carries its own challenges for recovery and daily life.

• Traumatic amputation happens when a limb is severed or crushed in the accident itself, such as in machinery, vehicle, or industrial accidents.
• Surgical amputation becomes necessary when a limb is too badly damaged to save because of crush injuries, severe burns, or infection.
• Upper-limb loss affects fingers, hands, and arms and can deeply impact a person's ability to work and live independently.
• Lower-limb loss affects toes, feet, and legs and changes how a person stands, walks, and moves for the rest of their life.

The Lifelong Cost of Limb Loss

Amputation is not a one-time injury. Prosthetic limbs must be fitted, maintained, and replaced over a lifetime, and many people need ongoing physical therapy, home and vehicle modifications, and treatment for phantom limb pain. The emotional impact, including grief and depression over the loss, is real and compensable.

Common Causes of Amputation Injuries

• Motor vehicle and truck crashes
• Workplace and industrial machinery accidents
• Defective products and unguarded equipment
• Severe burns and crush injuries
• Medical errors, including surgical errors such as wrong-site surgery

Compensation and Illinois Law

A claim can seek the full cost of medical care, prosthetics and their lifetime replacement, rehabilitation, lost income and reduced earning capacity, home and vehicle modifications, and compensation for pain, disability, and disfigurement. Most Illinois injury claims must be filed within two years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, and Illinois follows modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, so you can recover as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. Deadlines can be shorter when a government entity is involved, so consult a lawyer promptly.

Why Choose Collins Law Group

We work with life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists to document what a lifetime of limb loss truly costs, and we have the resources to take a case to trial when an insurer refuses to pay it. If you or a loved one suffered an amputation because of someone else's negligence, contact Collins Law Group for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my amputation case worth?

It depends on which limb was lost, your age and occupation, and your lifetime needs. Claims account for prosthetics and their repeated replacement, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, home and vehicle modifications, and the pain and life changes that come with limb loss.

Are prosthetics and future care included in a claim?

Yes. Prosthetic limbs must be maintained and replaced over a lifetime, and many people need ongoing therapy and treatment for phantom limb pain. We use life-care planners to document these future costs so they are part of your claim.

How long do I have to file in Illinois?

Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, with shorter deadlines when a government entity is involved and different rules for minors. Speak with a lawyer promptly to protect your rights.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes, as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault, under Illinois modified comparative negligence. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.

What does it cost to hire your firm?

We work on a contingency fee, so there is no attorney fee unless we recover for you, and the initial consultation is free.