A catastrophic injury occurs suddenly and without warning, leaving the victim with life-altering effects and long-term implications. According to the US Department of Labor, catastrophic injuries are classified as potentially fatal or life-threatening, cause a significant loss of function physical or cognitive, and require a long-term recovery period.
Catastrophic injuries are life-changing; your life might be fine one minute and completely different the next. Everything changes, leaving you clueless and stressed about the future. However, you should get legal help from a catastrophic injuries lawyer if you encounter such an unfortunate situation to counter some negative financial aspects. Following are some scenarios that define catastrophic injuries.
Types of Catastrophic Injury
Head/Brain Injury: Head injury or a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can be caused by a blow to the head. Speech problems, mobility concerns, concentration difficulty, and memory loss are all long-term impairments that head injuries can cause.
Spinal Injury: Trauma to the spinal cord can occur due to a violent collision to the neck or back. Paralysis, loss of motor function, weakness, and acute pain are all possible outcomes of spinal injuries.
Although most people think of paralysis from spinal cord injuries as the most prevalent sort of catastrophic injury. However, there are several distinct types of catastrophic injuries;
- Internal injuries, such as irreparable organ damage,
- Eye injury
- Amputation
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Facial injury
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Crush injury
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Car accidents frequently result in severe and catastrophic injuries. Collisions with large trucks and big rigs, in particular, can be disastrous. Accidents involving boats, backyard trampolines, and industrial accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. The following is a comprehensive list of possible causes of catastrophic injuries;
- Automobile collisions
- Road accidents
- Accidents in sports
- On-the-job mishaps
- Boating mishaps
- Trampoline mishaps
- Explosions and fires
- Defective products
- Medical negligence
- Accidents involving horses
- Falling from great heights
- Violent crimes
- Accidents involving trucks, bicycles
- Accidents involving jet skis
Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries
The victim is left with long-term and life-changing effects after a catastrophic injury. If you’ve lost a limb or are paralyzed, your life will be different. You will not be able to return to work and face a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation regimen. Chronic pain, deformity, and severe emotional problems are frequent in catastrophic injury survivors.
Approach to Catastrophic Injury Cases
The stakes are high in catastrophic injury cases as these injuries can result in significant financial, emotional, and bodily damages. A catastrophic injury lawyer can achieve a positive outcome by gathering evidence, identifying the guilty party, evaluating a compensation amount, and, most importantly, dealing with insurance companies.
Catastrophic injuries alter your lifestyle in more than one way; however, there is no remedy for mental health issues it causes. If any of the above pointers are visible after an injury, it’s catastrophic, and immediate legal help will save you from financial losses.
