What are the Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries? – Get to Know them all
Common catastrophic injuries include spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), amputation, severe burns, and vision loss. These injuries can cause severe permanent disability or disfigurement, impairment of the function of a body part or system, and substantial risk of death.
While some victims who sustain these injuries heal and regain their former functionality after years, many others deal with permanent and irreversible damages or fatalities. Fortunately, you can seek compensatory damages, and our catastrophic injury lawyers can help.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is any permanent life-altering injury that a victim can sustain after an accident. These injuries are considered severe and can prevent a victim from earning a living or generating an income, engaging in physical activities, enjoying their hobbies, or having fun with their friends and family members like before the accident.
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What Are the Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries?
Different types of permanent injuries are considered catastrophic. These injuries are classified into the following categories:
Spinal Cord Injuries
SCIs are caused by a severe neck, back, or shoulder impact. One of the most serious injuries can result in chronic pain and partial or complete paralysis. Mostly, victims of this injury can lose functionality in their legs and arms, making self-care and other activities difficult.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Also known as head and brain injuries, TBIs are very complicated. Since TBI can affect several brain areas, a victim may have difficulty concentrating, focusing, and problem-solving.
This leads to short-term memory loss, behavioral impairment, prolonged or permanent cognitive or physical impairments, etc., which impacts a person’s ability to have fun, socialize, or work.
Amputation
A permanent loss of a limb can affect a person’s physical abilities. Dealing with the loss of a limb is painful, and a victim may also have to deal with emotional trauma. Victims of amputations must spend several months in physical and occupational therapy, which is never easy.
Though some victims can opt to use prosthetic limbs, these limbs are costly, and one can take a lot of time before becoming comfortable with them.
Severe Burns
Third and fourth-degree burns are considered catastrophic. Burn victims suffer excruciating pain and substantial scarring, which can also be permanent. Burn victims require special care, several skin grafts, and surgeries to help regain some normal appearance.
However, despite the cause of the burn, a victim may have to deal with a permanent disability or disfigurement.
Loss of Vision
Since victims who lose sight in an accident may not be able to work in their previous jobs, interact with others, or enjoy activities that they loved before, this injury is considered catastrophic.
Losing the sense of sight can be mentally and emotionally challenging. Victims must learn how to cope with their new life and limitations.
What Are the Main Causes of Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries?
Different types of accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, including the following:
- Road accidents, including pedestrian, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, and car accidents
- Sports accidents
- Acts of violence
- Workplace accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slips and falls
- Fires and explosions
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Falls from heights
Can I Sue for a Common Type of Catastrophic Injury?
The law allows victims of accidents to sue the at-fault or liable parties for any injury, including a catastrophic injury, to recover monetary compensation for the losses they sustain due to the accident. However, you must prove that the other party was negligent and at fault to file a lawsuit.
Also, you must file the lawsuit before the statute of limitations expire. This law gives victims a limited amount of time to pursue personal injury and wrongful death cases.
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Does a Catastrophic Injury Impact My Claim?
Dealing with a catastrophic injury is costly. From ambulance costs, emergency fees, hospitalization, surgeries, long-term aftercare, etc., a victim may have to bear a substantial financial burden. Since these injuries are permanent and their sufferings are more significant, they may result in greater compensatory damages.
How Can Enlisting Legal Professionals Help With My Catastrophic Injury Case?
Since pursuing a catastrophic injury claim can be challenging, it may be best to work with our personal injury lawyers. There are several things our legal team can do to help you win, including the following:
- Thoroughly investigate your case and prove liability
- Collect strong evidence to substantiate your claim
- Offer legal advice to help protect your rights
- Handle all the legal aspects of the claim
- Fight on your behalf for maximum compensation, hence allowing you to focus on recovering from your catastrophic injury
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