What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a life-changing condition that often occurs in car, truck and motorcycle accidents. Survivors of near-fatal auto wrecks and other serious accidents typically require extensive, lifelong and costly medical treatments and procedures. As a result, settlements in catastrophic injury cases are usually higher than for non-catastrophic personal injury matters.

Some examples of serious injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries — A traumatic brain injury or TBI occurs when there is a penetrating or non-penetrating blow or jolt to the skull. Victims may suffer many symptoms, including motor skill impairment, not understanding speech, loss of hearing, seizures, partial or total loss of vision, and loss of hearing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fall accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries — While a minor back injury may only result in temporary pain, a severely damaged spinal cord can cause partial or full paralysis.
• Amputations — Amputations may occur in construction accidents if machinery is defective, used irresponsibly or used without proper safety equipment. Limbs may also be severed in serious car, truck and motorcycle accidents.
• Burns — A minor burn may leave a disfiguring scar. However, a person who suffers severe burns all over the body has sustained a catastrophic injury. Individuals who survive serious burn injuries experience lasting physical, psychological and emotional pain.

When catastrophic injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence, victims deserve justice. If your family is left shattered by a catastrophic injury, an experienced accident lawyer can help you fight back and obtain rightful compensation.