Amputation Injuries in Nursing Homes

When It Gets This Far, Something Has Already Gone Terribly Wrong

Amputations are among the most serious and traumatic injuries that can occur in a nursing home, and in many cases, they are the final result of prolonged neglect. Whether caused by untreated infections, pressure ulcers, diabetic complications, or poor wound care, most nursing home-related amputations are preventable with proper monitoring and timely medical intervention.

At The Higgins Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers, we represent families across the country whose loved ones endured preventable amputations due to nursing home negligence. We investigate what went wrong, identify who was responsible, and fight for accountability and justice.

How Nursing Home Injuries Lead to Amputation

Amputation is the surgical or traumatic removal of a limb or digit. In nursing homes, amputations often occur because an infection or circulatory issue went unrecognized, untreated, or ignored for too long.

Common Causes of Amputation in Nursing Homes:

High-Risk Populations That Require Special Attention

While all residents deserve vigilant care, certain individuals are at heightened risk of amputation-related complications and must be closely monitored:

• Residents with diabetes or vascular disease
• Those with limited mobility or bedridden status
• Individuals with cognitive decline, who may not report pain or symptoms
• Residents with a history of wounds, ulcers, or previous infections
• People recovering from surgery or injury who are vulnerable to pressure injuries

Failure to adjust care plans or provide increased supervision for these residents can result in avoidable loss of limb—and life-altering consequences.

Amputations Are Often a Sign of Long-Term Neglect

A nursing home amputation rarely happens overnight. It’s often the culmination of weeks or months of negligence, including:

• Failure to reposition immobile residents
• Ignoring or misclassifying pressure ulcers
• Failure to provide adequate diabetic foot care
• Delays in transferring residents for wound treatment or infection control
• Lack of documentation or communication among staff

If your loved one required amputation while in the care of a nursing home, it is critical to ask why it wasn’t prevented.

Warning Signs That Neglect May Be Involved

If any of the following occurred prior to your loved one’s amputation, it may indicate neglect:

• Repeated complaints of pain that went unaddressed
• Multiple stages of pressure sores with no documented treatment
• Infection that was allowed to spread or became systemic
• Visible decline in cleanliness, hydration, or hygiene
• A “sudden” emergency hospitalization for a wound that had been previously overlooked
• Lack of family notification or vague explanations from staff

In many of our cases, families only learn the full extent of the harm after it’s too late. We’re here to change that.

What Federal Law Requires of Nursing Homes

Under the Nursing Home Reform Act and CMS guidelines, facilities must:

• Conduct regular skin assessments and risk evaluations
• Provide appropriate wound care and treatment plans
• Monitor blood sugar and circulation in diabetic and at-risk residents
• Ensure timely referrals to wound care specialists or hospitals
• Maintain accurate documentation of wounds, infections, and care provided
• Notify families of any changes in condition, including wound progression

Failure to meet these standards may result in regulatory penalties—and civil liability for harm done.

How The Higgins Firm Builds Amputation Neglect Cases

We’ve worked with families in every state to uncover the real cause behind their loved one’s catastrophic injury. When you contact The Higgins Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers, we will:

• Gather and review all medical records, including wound logs, lab results, and care plans
• Analyze photographic evidence of injuries (when available)
• Obtain staff records and internal reporting documents
• Consult with wound care specialists, infection control experts, and vascular surgeons
• Compare the care provided with federal standards and your loved one’s documented needs

We work not just to expose the problem—but to build a powerful case for compensation and justice.

What You May Be Entitled To

A successful legal claim after a preventable amputation can include compensation for:

• Hospitalization, surgical, and rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term disability and mobility impairment
• Mental and emotional trauma
• Prosthetics or long-term equipment needs
• Wrongful death damages (if applicable)
• Punitive damages (in cases of egregious neglect)

Our team will pursue the full value of what your family has endured—because your loved one’s loss matters.

National Representation from a Firm That Focuses Only on Nursing Home Neglect

From our headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, The Higgins Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers proudly represents families in all 50 states. We don’t handle general injury claims or criminal defense—we focus solely on protecting the elderly and vulnerable from nursing home abuse and neglect.

Speak With an Attorney About a Nursing Home Amputation Injury

An amputation should never be the price your loved one pays for being in a nursing home. If you have questions about whether their injury could—and should—have been prevented, we’re here to provide honest answers and a clear path forward.