Most Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

In the aftermath of an accident, someone you love may suffer a catastrophic injury. These go beyond scrapes and bruises, involving more severe injuries that may leave a lasting impact for a lifetime. Here we talk about most common types of catastrophic injuries.

Florida personal injury attorneys advise anyone who has suffered from a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence to seek counsel. Mounting medical bills, lost wages, and trauma that these accidents may cause require the utmost experience and care.

However, it is important to know that not every injury suffered in an accident can be classified as catastrophic. Knowing more about the most common types of catastrophic injuries can help you know how to proceed when you are in this situation.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Not every injury is considered catastrophic. To qualify as catastrophic, the injury needs to meet at least one of these requirements.

Expensive Medical Treatment Is Needed

With a catastrophic injury, medical treatment will be substantial. If your care is minimal, the injury is not regarded as catastrophic.

The Injury Results in Disfigurement or Disability

When you are left with a permanent scar or visible damage from your injuries, it could be considered catastrophic. If this injury causes you to become disabled, this will count as well.

Injury Effects Last for a Long Duration

Catastrophic injuries do not necessarily need to be permanent. Victims of these injuries may recover after the accident. It will still be considered catastrophic if these injuries last for at least one year, even if the victim eventually recovers.

What Are the Most Common types of Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries can happen without any warning. One minute, life is fine and the next, it is changed forever. Catastrophic injuries include those that cause serious damage to vital body systems such as the central nervous system, respiratory system, and reproductive system, among others.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function like the ability to move is considered a spinal cord injury (SCI). Some of these types of injuries may lead to paralysis.

If a victim suffers from a cervical spinal cord injury, it can cause quadriplegia or paralysis of the arms and legs. Some spinal cord injuries only affect the thoracic region, known as paraplegia, affecting the legs and chest.

Because of the nature of spinal cord injuries, life will be completely different for these victims. This is why it is essential to have an experienced personal injury lawyer behind you to ensure you are compensated for devastating injuries like these.

Severe Burns

While there are different types of burns, the most severe are third and fourth-degree burns. These are considered catastrophic injuries because they affect all skin layers. With a third-degree burn, you may have permanent tissue damage as well as bone damage.

As a fourth-degree burn is even more severe, these injuries are life-threatening. Even surviving them, you will face a lifetime of suffering through nerve damage, loss of motion, scarring, and pain as you recover. Multiple surgeries, years of therapy, and plastic surgery will likely be needed to treat this kind of catastrophic injury.

Loss of Limb

Also called amputation, loss of limb refers to losing arms or legs. While prosthetics can help, it affects victims beyond the obvious physical challenges. It can also impact mental and emotional health.

Damage to Internal Organs

In an accident, injuries may not be visible on the surface. They can also affect internal organs such as your liver and spleen. As such, they may require surgery and intensive treatment for a long time.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are damages that occur to the brain from falls, sporting accidents, construction site accidents, or gunshot wounds. When the brain is impacted, it may never recover and can lead to permanent disabilities.

What Compensation Can You Receive for a Catastrophic Injury?

If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury that was caused by the negligent acts of another person, it is important to find a personal injury lawyer. Often, people who try to handle things on their own accord can get taken advantage of by insurance companies or legal teams.

You may end up settling for an amount that barely covers your medical expenses and does not consider the future loss of earning potential or medical expenses. Since most attorneys offer free initial consultations, you should find out more about the possible outcomes.

These are the common damages you are likely to receive.

Medical Expenses

Compensation for medical expenses from a catastrophic injury may include the money you have spent on medical care as a result of the accident. It can cover present care up to the time of compensation for tests, surgeries, medication, and other essential care that you may need in the long run, too.

Loss of Wages

These types of injuries are so severe that they can keep a victim out of work. If you are unable to work, you can seek damages for your lost income and lost future potential earnings.

Diminished Earning Capacity

Even if you recover from your catastrophic injury, you may never regain the ability to perform your job duties as you did before the accident. You may not be able to return to work in your field and only be capable of performing work that pays much less than what you once earned.

Pain and Suffering

The physical challenges that you endure with a catastrophic injury can lead to emotional distress in the form of anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Additionally, your injury may leave you with ongoing pain that makes life uncomfortable.

Conclusion

catastrophic injuries are life-changing events that can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for the injured person and their family. These injuries, which include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations, often require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. The impact of catastrophic injuries goes beyond the immediate physical effects, as they can also lead to significant financial burdens and emotional distress for those affected. It is important to raise awareness about catastrophic injuries and the need for ongoing support and resources to help those who have been affected.

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