Personal Injury

What Classifies as a Catastrophic Personal Injury?

A severe or catastrophic injury is a physical injury that leaves a considerable impact on the victim’s life. When most people hear of a severe injury, what comes to mind is a spine injury resulting in paralysis. But beyond, there are other injuries that are considered catastrophic as well. Also, note that catastrophic injuries are not always permanent, but they can take months or years to heal.

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

When an injury is so severe that it results in long-term debilitation or disability, it is considered catastrophic. It can also be defined as an injury that prevents the victim from doing any gainful work. In most cases, a catastrophic injury involves loss of capacity or a deformity resulting from a traumatic brain injury, brain damage, or limb amputation.

When you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, you are likely to get overwhelmed with all the information you need to understand. In addition, there is the treatment process and the cost. All this can be daunting. If you suffer a severe injury that alters your life because of someone else’s negligence, it is only fair to be compensated for those losses.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Here are examples of catastrophic injuries that one may suffer after an accident.

  • Amputation
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Paralysis
  • Brain injury
  • Crush injury
  • Nerve damage
  • Loss of hearing or sight

One of the effects of a catastrophic injury is that it is not just the victim that is affected. The family members of the victim get affected as well. Caring for someone with cognitive or mobility limitations can be draining. In the case of spouses, the other partner may have to resign from work or find a nurse to help in the house.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

  • Car, motorcycle, or pedestrian accidents
  • Boating accidents
  • Fire and explosions
  • Falls from extreme heights

Common Expenses Associated With a Catastrophic Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, you will wonder about the kind of expenses that lie ahead. Understanding this will come in handy when pursuing a claim with your Anteope Valley accident attorney. Take a look at the expenses you can recover in your claim.

  • Medical treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Ongoing care such as physical therapy
  • Prosthetics and assistive devices like a wheelchair

What To Do After a Catastrophic Injury

The first step is getting medical treatment and focusing on recovery. After that, if the injury was due to someone’s else negligence, start exploring your legal options. As mentioned already, you are entitled to compensation. Even in cases where you are covered by insurance, if the cost exceeds the limit of your policy, you will be left with additional expenses. The only way to ensure that you have been compensated is to pursue legal action against the party that caused the accident.

How Much Money Can One Recover From a Catastrophic Personal Injury Claim

The amount of settlement you get will depend on many factors, including the severity of the injury. Calculating things like medical bills is easy. However, there is also pain and suffering. A lot of people suffer from emotional shock after a severe injury. Because of all the expenses that need to be added up, it is better to work with an attorney. You want to ensure that you account for everything at the end of the day.

It is not always easy to recover from catastrophic injuries. In some cases, victims and their family members are forced to live with the consequences of that injury forever. When somebody’s negligent behavior or carelessness leads to another person’s injury, it is time to talk to an experienced lawyer. Compensation may not buy you back your normal life, but it will certainly reduce the financial burden that comes with the injury.

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