What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
No matter how minor or severe, accidents cause significant stress and trauma. But accidents that cause catastrophic injuries are in an entirely separate category—these crashes leave you with consequences that will follow you for the rest of your life. When you’re involved in a catastrophic accident in Southern California, you need to seek legal assistance immediately. Call a personal injury lawyer from DeWitt Algorri & Algorri at 855-WINNING (946-6464) now to set up a free consultation. Our team has a long track record of successful settlements and jury awards, proving that we have what it takes to represent you both in negotiations and in court.
Catastrophic injuries can occur in any type of accident, but they are more common in certain situations. Common sources of catastrophic injuries include car accidents, workplace accidents, falls from significant heights, medical malpractice, and intentional assault.
The Definition of a Catastrophic Injury
By definition, a catastrophic injury is one that is severe enough to affect a victim for the rest of their life and result in significant damages. People who sustain these types of injuries often experience serious physical, emotional, and financial setbacks. Victims may be left with permanent disabilities that severely limit their independence and quality of life. As a result of the long-term effects of catastrophic injuries, victims are often entitled to substantial compensation from the liable party.
Common Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Injuries in this category include a wide range of conditions and losses. Common examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs vary quite a bit in severity, so not all TBIs are considered catastrophic. However, those on the severe end of the scale may cause significant cognitive impairment, memory loss, loss of mobility, and sensory disruptions. When a TBI takes away an individual’s independence, it can be considered catastrophic.
- Severe burns: Severe burns cause a wide range of devastating physical and mental effects. While the pain, tension, and loss of sensation are bad enough on their own, not enough is said about the mental trauma of burns covering large parts of your body.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord trauma is generally permanent, and even those whose surgical treatment is successful are often left with some long-term loss of function, tingling, and general discomfort.
- Amputations: Obviously, an amputation is a catastrophic injury that will affect your life moving forward. Whether it’s due to medical malpractice or the physical trauma of an accident, amputation can leave victims with severe mental trauma and physical pain.
- Organ damage: Organ damage often has a permanent effect on your independence, the activities you can participate in, and your quality of life. For example, those with lung damage may have permanent struggles with respiratory illnesses.
Long-Term Effects and Consequences
By definition, a catastrophic injury has a profound impact on a person’s life. Victims often experience significant limits in their physical functioning, from permanent disabilities and chronic pain to limitations in mobility and loss of control of the bowel or bladder. The emotional effects of a catastrophic injury may be some of the hardest to work through; the loss of life as you knew it can be incredibly painful and difficult to accept. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are all relatively common diagnoses.
It’s impossible to exaggerate the financial impact of a catastrophic injury. Medical expenses, a permanent loss of or decrease in income, rehabilitation expenses, long-term care needs, adaptive equipment for the home, and specialized therapies are tremendously expensive. They are so expensive, in fact, that many victims simply go without the care they need because they cannot afford it.
Financial Compensation for Victims
When a catastrophic injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, the victim may be entitled to compensation. This is important after any sort of personal injury, but it can be a matter of life or death after a catastrophic injury. If you’re likely to have medical bills, adaptive needs, and rehabilitative care for the rest of your life, you must talk to a lawyer to find out if compensation is on the table.
Contact A Personal Injury Attorney About Your Personal Injury Claim Today
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic personal injury because of another person’s recklessness, negligence, or malice, you could be entitled to compensation for all of your accident-related losses. Find out now by setting up a time to talk to a personal injury lawyer at DeWitt AlgorrI & Algorri. Our team of Southern California personal injury lawyers is committed to helping victims like you fight for justice. Set up a consultation right now by calling us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or contacting us online.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
