A catastrophic injury can be defined as a life-altering injury that occurs very suddenly without any warning. This type of injury may affect you for the rest of your life. Not only does it affect you, it also affects your family, as you may require a lot of care and assistance.
Keep in mind that this kind of claim requires a lawyer who is experienced with complex personal injury litigation. Since a catastrophic injury is long-term, if not permanent, you might need compensation for future damages as well. For this reason, your choice of a lawyer is extremely important.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injury
- Burn injury
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of eyesight
- Paraplegia
- Multiple facture
- Quadriplegia
- Serious injury to the limb(s)
Catastrophic Injury Causes
There are numerous causes for a serious personal injury, the most common of which are vehicle accidents, falls, construction accidents, and industrial related accidents.
Other causes include:
- Aviation accidents
- Extreme sports
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Various workplace accidents
- Assault
- Fire
- Defective products
Some of these causes really are accidents in which no one is at fault. If negligence can be proven, it is worthwhile to seek compensation.
Treatment and Personal Injury Claims
Proper medical treatment is essential, no matter what type of injury you have. In addition to initial medical care, you may require frequent visits, surgeries, and follow-up treatments in the years to come. In many cases, this type of injury causes permanent disability, which can ultimately lead to financial problems. A catastrophic injury is not necessarily just physical, either, it can lead to personality changes, learning problems, memory loss, and psychological disorders.
When personal injury claims are made, your lawyer will work with life care planners, doctors, homecare providers, and other medical experts to determine the extent of your injuries and estimate your future medical needs. Understanding catastrophic injuries and the complexities involved is essential in ensuring that you are fully compensated.
With the right lawyer, you might be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses for the initial treatment as well as future treatments
- Short-term and long-term care
- Emotional distress such as anxiety, PTSD and depression
- Lost wages from being unable to work
- Projected future costs
- Prescriptions
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
It isn’t always easy to prove that the other party is at fault, especially when your injury occurred from an accident. You and your team must be able to prove that your injury really is a result from another person’s negligence, and that the injury would not have otherwise occurred had they not been negligent.
It is in your best interest to make personal injury claims with a lawyer who has experience dealing with your specific type of catastrophic injury. It’s recommended that you seek consultation with Clarke Law.