When the Wrong Limb Is Amputated

An amputation is a medical procedure in which surgeons remove part of the body, usually an appendage.
It can be something as small as a finger or as large as an entire leg. Limbs may be amputated for a
number of reasons, ranging from infection to cancer. Although amputations were commonly used in the
past to simplify complex procedures, today amputations are only performed when absolutely necessary.

However, sometimes medical science is complicated by human error, and although it’s painful to think
about, occasionally surgeons amputate the wrong limb. If you or someone you love has been the victim
of a botched amputation procedure, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys of Lowenthal
& Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130.

How Does the Wrong Limb Get Amputated?

The main cause of wrong-limb amputation is simply negligence and carelessness on the part of the surgeon
performing the procedure. Wrong limbs getting amputated are actually far more common than some might
think. Doctors have been known to misread charts describing which limb needs to be removed. Additionally,
surgeries on the wrong limb or wrong area of the body fall into the same category of medical malpractice.
Operations on the wrong knee or the wrong side of the chest are akin to amputating the wrong limb.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a wrong-limb amputation, >contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.