When does a Personal Injury become a Catastrophic Injury?

There are certain injuries that can cause greater physical, emotional and financial consequences than others. Unfortunately, a catastrophic injury can change a victim’s life in an instant, preventing the individual from returning to their pre-injury life. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to a large financial award. Let The Carlson Law Firm help you fight for what you deserve. 

The definition of catastrophic injury varies from state to state. However, the federal definition of catastrophic injury says “consequences of an injury that permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work.” These types of injuries are typically so serious that the victim is left with permanent damage that affects their quality of life for an extended period of time, or forever. Examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage
• Blindness
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe burns
• Loss of limb or disfigurement
• Dog bite (depending on the severity)
• Death

Any injury that prevents the individual’s ability to support themselves economically and live a normal life may be considered catastrophic. Going through with a claim after a catastrophic injury will help collect the compensation you need to deal with the lasting effects of this type of illness or injury. 

What are some ways in which one can sustain a catastrophic injury?

While the word ‘catastrophic’ evokes imagery of horrific incidents such as plane crashes or roof crush rollover crashes, a catastrophic injury can occur even in instances where injuries seem like they’d be minimal. Insurance companies or corporations will fight you every step of the way to deny that your injury is as severe as you say. For this reason, it’s extremely important to consult with an attorney to discuss the extent of your injuries. Common incidents that may lead to catastrophic injuries include the following situations:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Tractor-trailer crashes
• Slip and falls
• Motor Vehicle vs. Pedestrian collisions 
• Medical Malpractice
• Work-related injuries
• Defective products

Depending on the type of injury that you have sustained, you may be able to seek compensation to help with the emotional and financial strain on you and your loved ones. If you have a case involving a catastrophic injury, you can file a  claim and request compensation for the losses the injury caused. However, these types of cases are complex since the plaintiff’s team will have to prove the extent of the damages. Contact our office today to speak to an attorney and know what your legal options are. 

What makes catastrophic injury claims different from personal injury claims?

Although similar to personal injury claims- governed by the same basic liability rules, filing deadlines, and legal procedures. However, there are a few differences between catastrophic injuries and mild or moderate injuries. 

With catastrophic injury claims, the majority of the victim’s damages will be compensated for future medical expenses, pain, and suffering diminished earning capacity, and loss of life enjoyment. Unfortunately, these forms of compensation are tricky to calculate and defendants and insurance companies will try their best to undervalue these damages.

It is best to work with an attorney who will help you maximize financial recovery for future damages and non-economic losses to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Contact our office to see how our experienced attorneys can help your legal rights. 

What treatment is appropriate for a catastrophic injury?

Experiencing a catastrophic injury typically spans a lifetime. An injury as such doesn’t take weeks or months or even years to recuperate from and the initial costs of medical expenses is just a taste of what’s to come.  Depending on the type of catastrophic injury that you have, you may need to seek treatment, such as:

• Rehabilitation and physical therapy 
• Home or intuitional care
• Supplies, equipment, and vehicle, and home modifications
• Future procedures and hospitalizations
• Medications

What are the effects of catastrophic injuries?

Injuries can affect every aspect of your life. Everything from the emotional trauma of being unable to do live your life the way you want to job loss. When someone else is responsible of partially responsible for your injuries, a path to compensation is available to help make you ‘whole’ again.

Emotional Effects

If your injury has resulted in you struggling with painful memories of what happened, give us a call. Anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares are signs that you might be processing a traumatic event. 

Financial ramifications

Any injury will have an impact on a financial stance. Whether the accident resulted from a car accident, leaving the rest of the other family members without a vehicle to carry on with their duties, or the accumulations of medical bills, expenses seem like they will never end. 

In addition, depending on the type of catastrophic injury you have, you may not be able to return to work right away, or ever. The injured party may or may not have been the family’s primary income, but the loss may still be felt through the family’s financial standpoint.

Physical and Mental State

In many cases, catastrophic injuries are severe, long-lasting, or even permanent, significantly altering your life. Injuries such as vision loss, brain injuries, amputation, or disfigurement might mean that: 

• You can’t return to work, perhaps not in the same role
• You can’t participate in activities you once enjoyed
• You’re not completely independent 
• You find yourself struggling with depression or anxiety
• You’re dealing with body image issues
• You’re facing struggles or shifts in your key relationships. 

What are some forms of compensation I can seek if I have suffered a catastrophic injury?

Because of the extent of catastrophic injuries, damages involved in such cases are often more serious compared to most other personal injury cases.

Damages that you may recover after a catastrophic injury can include the following:

• Present and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Permanent disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Disfigurement
• Mental anguish 

How long do I have to file my catastrophic injury lawsuit?

Generally speaking, the amount of time to file an injury lawsuit or claim varies from state to state. In Texas, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury case is two years in most cases. Not only is time limited to recover compensation, but evidence and witnesses can also disappear the longer you wait to seek help from an attorney. When you contact our law office, you will get a compassionate attorney who will immediately begin the investigation process and gather evidence to help support your claim. No matter how you’ve been injured, call our firm at 800-359-5690 to discuss your catastrophic injury. 

Choose to have The Carlson Law Firm on your side

If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury, you should seek legal help immediately. Here at The Carlson Law Firm, our experienced attorneys can help you with your case and put your life back together after a tragedy. Contact our office today for a free consultation and you only pay a fee if we win your case. We understand that although compensation can’t make everything better and undo what has happened, it can help with medical and treatment costs, as well as acknowledge the pain and suffering you’ve experienced.  We care and we can help.