An injury can be classified as “catastrophic” when it occurs suddenly—often accidentally—and the victim experiences adverse life-altering consequences. Moreover, catastrophic injuries cause a significant and enduring deterioration of a victim’s quality of life.
Although no amount of money can entirely reverse the pain, suffering, and disabilities that the victim may incur, compensation for certain damages awarded in a settlement or court verdict can help them recover from financial losses and get some of the justice they deserve.
At Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the damage that a catastrophic injury can do and will not take your claims lightly. The fact that you may never fully recover from harm inflicted during an accident means that proper handling of your case is crucial. Contact our Zionsville catastrophic injury lawyers today to learn more about your legal rights and how we can help.
Recovering Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
You may be entitled to receive significant compensation in a personal injury claim as a catastrophic injury victim. Financial awards in these cases are intended to make the victim relatively “whole” again and cover accident- and injury-related expenses. They include the following:
Medical Expenses
Catastrophic injuries typically result in disabilities and impairments that require intensive and costly ongoing health care. Accordingly, claimants can recover damages for medical expenses already incurred and expected costs for the remainder of their lives.
Lost Income
Catastrophic injury victims are often unable to return to their jobs and professions or in the same capacity as before their injuries were sustained. Depending on their condition’s severity, some victims will be unable to work again. Claimants can recover damages for lost wages while in recovery and permanently diminished earning ability.
Scarring and Disfigurement
If a victim’s injuries result in scarring or other disfigurements, they may be able to recover damages intended to compensate them for social anxiety or embarrassment. Claimants may also be awarded financial restitution for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery.
Loss of Consortium or Companionship
Catastrophic injuries often lead to debilitating conditions that damage a victim’s marriage. Loss of consortium is a legal term that describes an injury’s impact on companionship, relationships, and support lost due to an injury. The spouse in a personal injury claim often has the right to file separately to recover non-economic damages.
Living with a Disability
If a disability resulting from an injury limits a victim’s mobility or requires them to alter their daily life significantly, they can pursue damages to facilitate the necessary changes. This might include home modifications, medical equipment, and at-home caregiving or nursing assistance.
Reduced Quality of Life
Damages can be recovered for other demonstrable reductions in injury victims’ quality of life. When the person cannot engage in activities they previously enjoyed before the accident, this can be described as a diminished quality of life.
Physical and Psychological Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering cannot be quantified but may be awarded when a victim experiences physical pain and emotional anguish due to their injuries.
In Indiana, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim in which damages may be recovered is two years, although some exceptions may apply. If you’ve sustained a catastrophic injury due to another person’s negligence, do not hesitate to consult with a Zionsville catastrophic injury attorney who can ensure all legal deadlines are met.
For a free legal consultation with a catastrophic injury lawyer serving Zionsville, call 800-333-9999
Types of Catastrophic Injury
Generally speaking, catastrophic injuries dramatically affect the brain, spinal function, or the ability to use one or more body parts. The following is a more detailed look at common catastrophic injuries:
Head and Brain Injuries
Head and brain injuries (also known as traumatic brain injuries or TBIs) can leave victims with long-lasting or irreversible cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments that can drastically impact their personal and professional lives. As a result, severe TBIs are frequently referred to as catastrophic.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries are frequently the result of an impact to the back, neck, and shoulders. Even a relatively mild spinal cord injury can permanently reduce a victim’s range of motion and cause chronic pain. If the spinal cord is completely severed, there will be permanent paralysis below the injury site. This condition tends to lead to a lifetime of major secondary health concerns and extreme physical limitations.
Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Blunt abdominal trauma is an extremely serious injury that can cause extensive internal damage. Some of these injuries might not be noticed immediately due to a lack of external wounds, thereby increasing the risk of complications and permanent health issues. Blunt abdominal trauma can occur during many types of accidents, such as falls, assaults, and traffic collisions.
Burn Injuries and Disfigurement
Severe burn injuries are among the most painful and long-lasting injuries an individual can endure, and they come with the risk of life-threatening secondary health complications. Burns can also result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, and amputations.
Amputations
Losing a limb, hand, or foot to an amputation can present monumental physical and emotional hurdles. It can alter a person’s life in numerous ways, including preventing them from working, enjoying certain activities, and requiring them to relearn how to engage in essential everyday tasks.
Vision or Hearing Loss
Vision and hearing loss are terrifying conditions that can occur during an accident, and the consequences can be life-altering. The sensory loss may be caused by a direct injury, such as glass piercing the eye in an auto accident or the result of an explosion or brain injury. Even partial blindness or deafness can be devastating.
Zionsville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Near Me 800-333-9999
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
There is a myriad of causes of catastrophic injuries, and the following are just a few of the seemingly endless possibilities:
- Auto accidents
- Commercial or semi-truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle or motorcycle accidents
- Sports-related accidents
- Workplace or construction site accidents
- Recreational accidents
- Boating and swimming accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Falls from heights
- Slip and fall accidents
- Violent crime and domestic assaults
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Consult with a Zionsville Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Catastrophic injuries are often challenging to overcome. In many instances, victims and their families live with the impact of a devastating injury for the rest of their lives. When another party’s negligence or willful misconduct contributes to another individual’s catastrophic injury, it’s time to consult with an attorney who regularly handles these cases.
The legal team at Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help you get your life back on track. Our firm has recovered $1 billion in settlements for our clients, and our attorneys have more than 400 years of combined legal experience. We encourage you to contact us for a confidential, no-obligation case review. We do not charge upfront fees or costs, so you have nothing to lose by scheduling a free consultation today.
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
