Many personal injury accidents cause short-term damage that fades away with time and rest, but some accidents have consequences that last a lifetime. Severe injuries that cause permanent disability or lifelong debilitation are known as catastrophic injuries. Due to the enormous expense that goes into caring for someone with a lifelong disability, catastrophic injuries often require substantial settlements or awards to make the victim whole again.

Which Types of Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries?

Nearly any type of accident can cause catastrophic injuries. A car crash that leaves a victim paralyzed for the rest of their life is considered catastrophic, as is a medically mishandled birth that leaves a child with cerebral palsy. The primary factors in catastrophic injuries is the severity of the damage and the lifelong impact of the injury.

What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

In most cases, an injury that leaves a victim with impaired motor skills or brain function is catastrophic. Victims often need care for the rest of their lives, which comes at enormous expense and often significantly decreases their quality of life. Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Paralysis
  • Other spinal cord injuries
  • Loss of limbs
  • Irreversible organ damage
  • Disfigurement
  • Many birth injuries
  • Loss of one or more senses

Damages You May Be Awarded

A catastrophic injury is a tragedy in the life of the victim and those who care for them; while the victim is often deserving of substantial financial compensation, money cannot restore them to their previous health, give them back their independence, or let them experience life in the same way they did before. The permanent nature of catastrophic injuries is why so many cases lead to large settlements. Your attorney will work closely with you, your medical professionals, and other experts to determine which types of damages are available to you. Possible damages for a catastrophic injury case include:

    • Initial medical costs, including transportation
    • Future medical costs, determined by the extent of the injuries and expert witnesses’ testimony regarding future care needs
    • Cost of in-home nursing or a nursing home for the remainder of the victim’s life
    • Rehabilitative care, including occupational therapy and physical therapy
    • Medical and mobility equipment
    • Medication to minimize pain and symptoms
    • Lost wages
    • Loss of future earning potential
    • Loss of consortium
    • Loss of quality/enjoyment of life
    • Pain and suffering

It’s difficult to put a price on a victim’s pain and suffering, loss of freedom, and psychological pain associated with a catastrophic injury. That’s why the input of medical professionals is so crucial in this type of case. A fair and accurate assessment of a victim’s long-term care needs and probable future medical expenses is essential in providing a victim with the money they need to get necessary care. While legal advice is recommended in any personal injury case, it is exceptionally important in a catastrophic injury case. Accepting a low settlement immediately can leave a victim and their family without the money they need later in life, further reducing their health and quality of life.

Choosing an Attorney Who Will Fight for You

Selecting the best attorney for your or your loved one’s catastrophic injury case can give you a better chance at getting a settlement or award you deserve. At Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman, & Cure, PSC, we will fight tooth and nail to hold the responsible party accountable for the serious injuries suffered by you or your loved one. By analyzing the evidence and gathering input from medical professionals, we’ll build a case that demonstrates the cause of the accident, why the other party is liable, and the extent of the damage caused by their negligence. We draw on our collective decades of experience to make the strongest case possible.

We understand the devastation that a catastrophic injury can cause, and we are here to help you get what you deserve. Contact Sanchez, Mitchell, Eastman, & Cure, PSC to discuss your case and begin moving forward.