Employees have the right to work in a safe environment, but that doesn’t mean that accidents will never happen. Some working conditions lead to serious injuries. One of them is a traumatic amputation. These are life-altering events that come with physical and emotional implications for workers.
A traumatic amputation occurs when a part of the body is separated from the rest of the body. This can occur through crushing, cutting, or severing. Manufacturing, construction, and agriculture are some of the most common industries associated with traumatic amputations.
Complete versus partial amputations
Amputations are divided into two categories: complete and partial. A complete amputation means the body part is fully severed from the rest of the body. A partial amputation means that there are some soft tissues that connect the body part to the rest of the body.
Amputated body parts can sometimes be reattached to the body. Whether reattachment is possible or not, the victim should still expect to go through extensive medical care and physical therapy. In some cases, occupational therapy is also necessary.
Effects of an amputation
Many people choose to focus on the physical effects of amputations, but these catastrophic injuries affect victims in other ways. Psychological impacts are common and can include individuals who suffer a traumatic amputation at work, who may have depression or anxiety as a result. They may have difficulty adjusting to changes in their self-image and their independence.
Workers who suffer traumatic amputations at work may not be able to return to their job duties. This can lead to them having financial difficulties on top of everything else. Workers’ compensation should help to cover some of the expenses related to the accident. For example, it should cover medical care. It may also cover vocational rehabilitation if the worker is going to be able to return to the workforce but in a different capacity. If the worker is expected to be off work long-term, it may provide partial wage replacement.