You might have heard of a catastrophic injury before, but you might not know what exactly qualifies an injury to be “catastrophic.” After all, you can be severely injured in a car accident or from falling down someone’s icy steps. In both cases, your injuries could rise to a level of severity where they might be considered “catastrophic.”
Defining Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries differ from other injuries in that they are so severe that they have life-altering and lifelong consequences, usually preventing someone from being able to work or conduct day-to-day activities they were used to doing. Although not a requirement, catastrophic injuries often involve the brain and/or spinal cord.
Common examples of catastrophic injuries include these:
- Traumatic Brain Injury can involve many consequences that may include memory loss, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, changes in personality, and more.
- Spinal Cord Injuries can result in paralysis and/or mobility issues.
- Loss of Certain Senses, which can go hand-in-hand with a traumatic brain injury. An injured person might lose their sight or hearing, or even their ability to feel pain, which puts them at greater risk of severe injury in the future.
- Loss of Limbs can dramatically affect someone’s quality of life and ability to earn an income.
If you are injured in one or more of the ways described above, you may be entitled to pursue damages from the parties responsible for your injuries. With help from an experienced personal injury attorney, you can get the compensation you need to afford costly medical bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages, and more.
When a Catastrophic Injury Causes Death
Catastrophic injuries are so severe that it’s possible, or even likely, that the injured party may die. If someone dies after a catastrophic injury, their loved ones can pursue compensation through legal action by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Although a wrongful death lawsuit won’t take factors like the deceased’s pain and suffering into account, it can account for other damages. These damages might include medical bills that led up to someone’s death, their burial and funerary costs, and even the financial toll that a person’s death takes on those who were their financial dependents, like a spouse or children.
What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury
After a catastrophic injury takes place, it’s crucial to secure legal representation to pursue your claim as soon as possible. Doing so may help you recover the maximum possible compensation for your injuries, which can help you move forward without any unnecessary financial hardship compounding the difficulties you are already experiencing.
Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. can help when you need legal assistance after experiencing a catastrophic injury. Learn more about our services by arranging a consultation with us today.
Get in touch with Bertram & Graf, L.L.C. online or call (888) 398-2277 to learn more.