Proven Amputation & Crush Injury Lawyers in Texas. Nationwide Representation.
A superintendent stood behind a safety fence at a construction site off Memorial Drive in Houston, where he was overseeing a project that involved the use of a drilling auger attached to a crane for deep foundation drilling. The auger got stuck, and as the operator attempted to unstick the drill, the crane collapsed on the superintendent.
His injuries forced doctors to perform an above-the-knee amputation.
Our client didn’t have a desk job at the time of the incident. The loss of his leg meant the immediate loss of his career and income. Just as importantly, it created incredible mental anguish, trauma, and physical pain. He called Arnold & Itkin for help. We took his case to trial, and over the course of three weeks, our Houston amputation accident attorneys argued that our client needed significant financial support to overcome his injury and move on with his life. The jury agreed.
Our client was awarded $44 million—the largest award for an amputee victim in U.S. history.
When life-changing injuries happen, our Houston amputation lawyers stand ready to find answers and seek accountability for survivors and their families. Call now: (888) 493-1629.
With a traumatic injury like amputation, the steps you take immediately after and in the days and weeks following will have a direct impact on your recovery—and not just physically. Your actions and choices matter when it comes to your ability to take legal action, which may be the only way for you to recover the money it will take to rebuild your life.
Fortunately, our Houston amputation lawyers are here to help.
If you or someone you love has suffered an amputation injury in Houston:
Call 911 and seek emergency medical help as quickly as possible.
Notify applicable parties: your employer, site supervisor, or property owner right away.
Take photos of the area, equipment, and your injuries if possible.
Record names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened.
Preserve evidence, such as damaged clothing, equipment, and medical records.
Don't speak to insurance companies or sign paperwork without legal advice.
Attend follow-up medical appointments and keep all treatment records.
Call a Houston amputation lawyer to protect your rights and pursue full compensation.
Arnold & Itkin was founded and is headquartered in Houston, where our team has built a national reputation for standing up for those facing the toughest moments of their lives. Our amputation injury lawyers have recovered more than $20 billion for clients across Texas and the U.S., including record-setting verdicts and settlements that have changed lives and forced corporations to take accountability for the harm they've caused.
Our firm's results—and our relentless approach—have earned recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Law Dragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America, and The Inner Circle of Advocates, a distinction limited to the nation's top 100 plaintiff trial attorneys. But what truly sets our firm apart is how we treat our clients. We fight for them like family—working tirelessly to secure the resources they need for recovery, rehabilitation, and a brighter future.
When your life has been forever changed, you deserve a team that won't back down. Our Houston amputation attorneys are here to help you rebuild.
Recent Amputation & Crush Injury Cases Filed
Crush injuries and amputations are among the most devastating cases our firm handles. In one recent case, our team filed a lawsuit for a motorcyclist struck by an 18-wheeler while escorting a funeral procession. The driver’s reckless actions caused catastrophic injuries, including multiple broken bones and severe leg trauma likely to require amputation. Our attorneys are holding the trucking company accountable for the devastation caused by its failure to prioritize safety.
In another matter, we represent a railroad mechanic who was nearly crushed beneath a 10-ton locomotive while performing maintenance work. The accident left him with a shattered pelvis, spinal injuries, and permanent mobility limitations. Our team is demanding accountability from the company that allowed such a preventable incident to occur.
Our attorneys also filed suit for a worker whose face was crushed by an exploding pressure valve after his employer failed to properly manage the jobsite. The explosion caused catastrophic facial fractures and permanent vision loss—injuries that will impact every part of his life moving forward.
These cases reflect what we stand for: exposing negligence, holding powerful companies accountable, and securing life-changing results for people who have nowhere else to turn.
The True Cost of an Amputation Injury
Losing a limb in a catastrophic accident can leave a person in pain and anguish for years or a lifetime, making it harder to earn a living, perform daily tasks, or take part in the activities they once enjoyed. Prosthetic limbs can cost tens of thousands, not including time spent adjusting, hours of physical therapy, and the reduction in work efficiency.
The effects of amputation include, but are not limited to, the following:
Loss of mobility and dexterity
Stump and phantom limb pain
Infection
Muscle contractures
Fatigue or exhaustion
Deep vein thrombosis
Body image issues
Social isolation
One study found that amputees faced tens of thousands of dollars in care costs on average from hospital and professional fees, not including prosthetic expenses. When adding prosthetics, patients’ lifetime costs reached six figures, only for treatment—not counseling, pain and suffering, lost careers, or the grief that comes from losing a part of yourself.
Accounting for Long-Term Costs That Can Result from Amputations
The imbalance from an amputation can create added accident risks and degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. In these cases, cartilage wears away, causing joint pain, and bone mass shrinks, increasing fracture risks. Finding the right prosthetic can help with these risks, but fitting prosthetics can be a grueling process.
Well-fitting prosthetics can help with long-term secondary conditions, but until they fit right and provide real alignment, they can cause radiating pain, blisters, and risks of falls. Compensation should cover past, current, and future costs. Never settle for inadequate compensation that doesn’t include all of your amputation-related expenses and damages.
A successful amputation injury claim may include compensation for:
The loss of a limb is mental, physical, and emotional. The results of your legal action should fully reflect that.
Every amputation injury carries not only the initial emotional and physical burden but also long-lasting implications that affect an individual’s lifestyle and mental health. You need guidance from a knowledgeable amputation accident attorney to navigate the complex claims process and ensure that every aspect of your suffering receives attention. Settling for less than you deserve may harm your quality of life. You need a lawyer who will relentlessly advocate for you.
What Is a Crush Injury?
Crush injuries occur when intense or sustained compression damages muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and other tissues. About 75% of crush injuries affect the legs, and 10% affect the arms. Some may be minor, like shutting a finger in a door, while others lead to long-term disability or even death. In severe cases, bone and muscle damage becomes so extensive that the limb can't be saved, making amputation necessary. While some minor injuries might be managed without medical intervention, many crush injuries require prompt medical care to avoid major complications.
Crush injuries frequently occur in fast-paced work environments where heavy machinery or equipment is common, such as Houston’s industrial, shipping, and construction sectors. They also occur in serious traffic wrecks throughout the region. Emergency teams at local hospitals see both residents and workers with these serious injuries every year.
Crush injuries can lead to other serious medical consequences, such as:
Early intervention, timely surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation can impact both the outcome and the likelihood that a patient can recover limb usage or avoid further complications.
Why Crush Injuries Are Dangerous
When a crush injury occurs, abnormal compression forces disrupt the chemical balance inside muscle cells. This disruption damages the cell membranes that control calcium and potassium flow, while removing sodium from the cells. This can break the muscle cell membrane and cause cell death. When this happens, muscles break down and release myoglobin protein into the bloodstream.
This release leads to rhabdomyolysis, which causes low blood pressure and vomiting.
If rhabdomyolysis is not treated immediately, it can lead to:
Kidney failure
Toxic shock
Death
Medical intervention is required and surgery may be needed to repair tissue damage. Sadly, amputation may be the only effective medical treatment in some cases. One of the reasons crush injuries are so devastating is the long-term impact suffered by the victims. Crush injuries can lead to intense, constant pain, and even the potential of permanent pain—also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).
Causes of Amputation & Crush Injuries in Houston, Texas
In the Houston area and across Texas, amputation and crush injuries may have various causes. While risks are higher in certain settings and circumstances, these catastrophic injuries may happen virtually anywhere. Understanding their causes is the beginning of determining liability (legal accountability) and your options in seeking financial compensation.
Some of the leading causes of crush injuries and amputations in Houston include:
One of the key reasons that work injuries account for so many amputations is the use of heavy equipment, especially in construction and industrial settings. When machinery with moving parts is used, employers must ensure all equipment is safe to operate and well-maintained. Workers must be trained in the proper methods of operation, cleaning, and maintenance of the equipment to prevent crushing injuries. They must be provided with equipment and tools that reduce the danger of amputation and crush injuries, and be adequately trained in their proper use.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6,200 workers in 2018 needed amputations after workplace accidents. Nearly 60% of these nonfatal amputations were due to machinery.
Typical Steps in a Texas Amputation Injury Claim
Every amputation case is unique, but most follow a clear series of steps that help establish what happened, who's responsible, and what full recovery should look like. At Arnold & Itkin, our Texas amputation lawyers handle every phase of the process with care, knowing your future depends on getting it right.
It all begins with an in-depth consultation, where our team listens to your story and reviews the details of your injury. From there, we launch a thorough investigation—gathering photos, witness statements, company safety records, and expert analyses to uncover the cause and identify all responsible parties. This stage is crucial, as amputation cases often involve multiple layers of liability, from employers and contractors to equipment manufacturers.
Next, we build a strong claim supported by medical documentation, financial records, and expert testimony to show the true cost of your injury—both now and in the future. Our attorneys then negotiate aggressively with insurers and defendants, pushing for a settlement that covers lifelong care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other losses.
If a fair settlement isn't offered, we're fully prepared to take your case to trial. As a nationally recognized trial firm headquartered in Houston, we've secured record-setting verdicts for clients across Texas and the country. Our results—more than $20 billion won—prove our commitment to fighting for what's right, no matter how powerful the opposition.
Legal & Medical Resources Available in Houston
Recovering from an amputation means more than healing physically—it also means navigating a complex journey of prosthetic care, rehabilitation, and legal rights.
Fortunately, Houston is home to some of the strongest medical, prosthetic, and support resources in the country:
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Houston This inpatient rehab hospital in the Texas Medical Center network provides intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy aimed at restoring function and independence.
PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Houston Heights Accepting complex cases including amputation care, PAM offers inpatient rehabilitation services, wound care, mobility training, and therapy designed for serious injuries.
Baylor College of Medicine - Prosthetic and Orthotics As the only academic prosthetic/orthotic center in the Houston area, Baylor's specialists collaborate on custom solutions for amputees using advanced engineering, physiatrists, and surgery teams.
Houston Prosthetic & Support Services
Patients in and around the Houston area may also seek support from facilities like Unlimited Prosthetics, which offers custom prostheses and in-home consultations, or Centers for Mobility Prosthetics, a certified facility that specializes in prosthetic and orthotic care, including fittings, adjustments, and mobility services. H.E.L.P for Amputees is a local Houston nonprofit that holds monthly support group meetings and offers educational programs and other aid.
When our Houston personal injury lawyers take on a case, we combine our local knowledge and national resources to deliver the level of support and representation it takes to secure the best result possible.
Even when the odds are stacked against us. We fight to win, because it matters.
“I mean, me, just a little guy going against a major corporation—I was nothing. But then Arnold & Itkin came in and they really took over. They're so smart, very intelligent, and they know the law and that means something.”
Our Firm’s Success in Amputation & Crush Injury Claims
At Arnold & Itkin, we have helped many people secure the financial recovery they need—even in complex cases. No matter the legal challenge, our Texas amputation accident attorneys know what it takes to make sure our clients have the resources needed for comprehensive medical care and moving forward after an amputation or crush injury.
In addition to the record $44 million verdict we secured for the construction superintendent, our amputation and crush injury case results include the following settlements and verdicts:
$16.5 million for a crane rigger who sustained a crushed pelvis from a crane load falling on him.
$12 million for a truck driver who was crushed by cargo while unloading and suffered a stroke.
$9.5 million for a longshoreman who was in an industrial crane accident and needed his leg amputated.
$9.25 million for a young man who suffered a traumatic leg amputation when a delivery truck hit him.
$6.75 million for a worker who had to have his left leg amputated after a pipe cleaning accident.
$6.5 million for a barge crew member whose face was crushed by a cage that fell after a faulty cable snapped.
$5.5 million for a contractor whose arm was crushed by a faulty pipe rack.
$4 million for a mariner who had to amputate a lower leg due to an infection from contaminated water.
$3 million for a worker whose right hand and arm were crushed on the job.
Holding wrongdoers accountable not only helps individual clients but also drives broader safety improvements in Houston workplaces and public spaces. When companies or manufacturers are required to address unsafe practices, others take notice and invest in better training, safety protocols, and equipment maintenance. Our legal work does more than secure compensation—it helps shape a safer environment for future generations of workers and families.
Speak with Our Houston Amputation Injury Lawyers: (888) 493-1629
Proving that negligence caused a crush injury, amputation, or the circumstances requiring amputation allows you the chance to start over without unnecessary stress. At Arnold & Itkin, we are ready to fight for the resources you need: quality medical care, recovered lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation.
We have won more than $20 billion for our clients.
We are feared by large corporations and insurers.
We are there for our clients like they're our own family members.
The Houston amputation accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin have helped our clients rebuild their lives—supporting families, helping people find new careers, and maintaining their homes. Our work has helped people find hope again. Together, we fight to hold wrongdoers accountable and ensure you receive the justice you deserve. No matter what.
Unplanned amputation, arising from an accident or injury, is often referred to as traumatic amputation or loss of limb. It is estimated that about 30,000 people experience traumatic amputations in the U.S. each year. The leading causes of accidental traumatic amputation are car, truck, and motorcycle accidents; bicycle and pedestrian accidents; workplace accidents; construction accidents; industrial injuries; and electrocutions. For these people and their families, life will never be the same. They must deal with the emotional trauma of losing a part of their bodies and will have to re-learn tasks and movements that they used to take for granted: walking, running, picking up objects, fine motor skills, and more. These victims deserve to see justice served.
How Long Does It Take For Crush Injuries To Heal?
The length of time it will take for a crush injury to heal will depend on the extent of damage. A hand that’s partially crushed with no bone fractures, for example, may heal in a few days or weeks. A severely crushed limb may take multiple surgeries and months to heal. Some crush injuries are so severe that they require surgical amputation. You should talk to your doctor and see specialists as needed to ensure you have the best opportunity to heal.
How Are Crush Injuries Treated?
Treatment for a crush injury will depend on the extent of damage you’ve experienced. The path to recovery may include emergency treatment and hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and assistive devices. In some cases, complications like nerve damage may arise, limiting the use of the crushed limb or extremity even if it seems healed on the outside. Initial treatment, ongoing therapy, and living with a crush injury can be difficult and expensive. That’s why it is so important to recover full and fair compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover In An Amputation Or Crush Injury Claim?
An injury claim should cover every expense, loss, and wrong a victim has experienced. This includes medical treatment and ongoing care, plus the cost of physical therapy and prosthetics, as well as medication and other medical supplies or assistive devices. It also includes lost income or future earnings, as many amputees cannot return to the same work that they previously performed or may be unable to work for an extended period of time. An amputation or crush injury lawsuit should also cover emotional trauma, which can be extensive after this type of devastating injury. Compensation should be awarded for pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other psychological trauma. Recovery cannot erase the consequences of the accident itself, but it can help a victim and their family get the support they need to restore their lives and face brighter futures.
How Can an Amputation Attorney Help Me?
An amputation accident attorney in Houston can play an instrumental role in managing the complexities of your claim. First, they can help establish liability, identifying who is responsible for your injury, whether it involves employers, manufacturers, or third parties. Lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring you receive compensation that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Furthermore, an attorney with experience in handling amputation claims can project future damages, incorporating aspects like lifelong prosthetic maintenance and therapy costs, ensuring you are financially secure in the long term.
Can I Sue for Emotional Distress After an Amputation?
Texas law allows individuals to seek compensation for emotional distress following an amputation injury. This can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. However, proving emotional distress can be challenging and requires thorough documentation, sometimes supported by psychological evaluations and expert testimony. An amputation attorney can guide you through this process, ensuring all necessary evidence is collected and advocating fiercely on your behalf to make sure your emotional injuries are not overlooked in your pursuit of justice.
