What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

Injuries from accidents can range from minor scrapes and bruises to fatal internal injuries that cannot be survived. In the middle, there is a wide range of injuries that accident victims suffer that require medical treatment and disrupt their lives. Some of the most serious non-fatal accidental injuries are commonly referred to as “catastrophic.”

Generally speaking, a catastrophic injury is one that causes permanent or long-lasting:

• Impairment
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of the use of a body part

If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, you should reach out to a Boca Raton injury lawyer as soon as you can for assistance.

Common Catastrophic Injuries

Were you in a car accident and suffered head trauma? Did you fall at work and sustain a severe blow to your spine? Did you suffer electrical shock or toxic exposure that resulted in severe burns? If so, you are likely the victim of a catastrophic injury. Some of the more common catastrophic injuries include:

• Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), which often causes a long period of unconsciousness, lasting cognitive and physical impairments, and other permanent effects
• Spinal cord injury, which can result in complete and permanent paralysis of your body parts that are below where the injury occurred, including bowel or bladder function or even respiratory function for high spinal injuries
• Third-degree burns, which can kill your skin tissue, as well as tissue below the skin, possibly requiring amputations or loss of functioning in burned areas. Burns can also cause permanent disfigurement and scarring, which qualifies the injury as catastrophic.
• Amputations of limbs, extremities, digits, or the loss of any other body part, whether the amputation was traumatic or surgically necessary due to a severe and irreparable injury.

Any of the above can qualify as catastrophic and lead to complicated and high-stakes injury claims.

What is the Significance of a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries are set apart from other accidental injuries because they do not heal with treatment and time. Instead, these injuries often change a victim’s life forever. Changes can include:

• Having to adapt to everyday activities with impairments or disabilities
• Not being able to return to work
• Experiencing pain and suffering daily
• Not being able to engage in activities you once enjoyed, such as athletics
• Developing depression or other mood disorders due to the effects of your injuries

Catastrophic injuries not only lead to medical bills and other financial losses, but they can be the source of many intangible losses, as well. These losses can be just as costly – if not more – than medical expenses and lost income. You want a lawyer who knows how to calculate all of your past and future losses – both economic and non-economic.

Speak with a Boca Raton Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or someone in your family suffered a catastrophic injury, the dedicated team from Demand the Limits Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to help. Contact us online or call 561-600-3555 to start standing up for your rights and the compensation you deserve.