How is a catastrophic injury defined?

On Behalf of Hullverson Law Firm   |   Dec 5, 2017   |   Uncategorized

If you have suffered an injury due to any type of accident, you may be wondering if your case is severe enough to pursue financial compensation. The answer is likely yes no matter the level of your injury. However, those in the category of catastrophic injury are likely to be worth much more.

It is important to know if you have such an injury so you can receive sufficient damages to cover the medical bills, long-term care, other expenses and loss of income. The best way to determine if your injury is catastrophic is to speak to a personal injury lawyer, but the general description is as follows.

Definition of a catastrophic injury

What makes an injury catastrophic is the extensive damage it does to you. Most of the time the harm is permanent. Even if you do fully recover, the injury may still qualify as being catastrophic, and you still deserve compensation for the extreme pain, lengthy duration and high cost of recovery.

Examples of catastrophic injuries

Most injuries involve trauma to the nervous system, such as TBI and spinal cord damage leading to paralysis. Other types include:

  • Loss of hearing or sight
  • Severe burns, scarring or disfigurement
  • Amputation
  • Multiple fractures in the skull or neck
  • Organ or muscle damage

The worst-case scenario is wrongful death, and your surviving family can file a lawsuit. Additionally, you may suffer more than just physical suffering. You may also endure emotional suffering due to medical treatment, permanent disability and PTSD after the accident.

Causes of catastrophic injuries

Because these injuries are so severe, so tend to be the accidents that cause them. They may be the result of a motor vehicle, airplane, premises, workplace or construction accident. The causes may also be the following:

  • Medical errors, including during birth
  • Explosions
  • Defective products
  • Electric shock
  • Fires
  • Sports

If you have experienced any of these, seek medical care immediately to determine the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.