Being injured due to another’s negligence can result in serious injuries and damages. Some personal injury accidents can result in harm so great that it will impact a victim’s life permanently. These types of long-term injuries are considered catastrophic. Here is more on understanding catastrophic injuries.
What are Catastrophic Injuries?
When a person is injured in a personal injury accident, they can sustain minor or even serious injuries. In some circumstances, the injuries suffered will be so severe as to be deemed catastrophic. A serious injury may lead to medical expenses and lost time at work and wages before a victim recovers. By contrast, catastrophic injuries can have these and other life-altering consequences. Catastrophic injuries often involve disfigurement or those causing physical or cognitive disability. As a result, a person who has suffered a catastrophic injury may require long-term medical and assistive care and support. Catastrophic injuries may impact the individual’s quality of life in multiple ways, including their interpersonal relationships. They may also be unable to return to work or enjoy their life as they did before because of their catastrophic injury.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
There are various types of catastrophic injuries, such as:
Loss of a Limb
When a person is involved in a serious accident, they may sustain injuries requiring an extremity or limb amputation. These types of catastrophic injuries can permanently impact a person’s ability to function, work, and care for themselves.
Severe Burns
During a personal injury accident, a victim may sustain severe burns that cause damage to their skin, bones, muscles, and nerves. Some burns can cause the victim to lose their fingers or other parts of their body. In addition, a person who has sustained this type of injury may also be severely disfigured. Burn injuries can require multiple surgeries and long-term medical support.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injury is an injury that occurs when a person experiences harm to their brain. This type of injury may occur when an individual is in an accident and experiences a piercing wound or severe impact to the head. Traumatic brain injuries can severely impair a person’s cognitive functioning. For example, an accident victim with this condition may not be able to process information or communicate in the same manner as before the accident. They may also experience sudden changes in their mood and significant physical impairment and limitations. Traumatic brain injuries can also lead to seizures and other permanently debilitating disorders.
Spinal Cord Injuries
When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, they may lose their ability to use parts of their body. As a result, the victim may be unable to detect sensations in one or more areas. The person may also have diminished strength. Additionally, when someone experiences trauma to their spine, they may never fully recover their ability to walk or use their arms or hands.
Catastrophic Injury Damages
When a person has suffered a catastrophic injury because of another’s reckless or negligent behavior, they can seek damages for their medical bills, lost wages, time at work, and the expenses associated with their ongoing needs. Victims can also seek damages for their pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. Under certain circumstances, the injured person may also be able to pursue punitive damages from the responsible party.
Suffering a catastrophic injury can be devastating for the victim and their loved ones. Under these circumstances, getting the information you need to pursue a personal injury claim is vital. If you or a loved one have been involved in a personal injury accident involving severe injury, you will want to work with an experienced New York catastrophic injury attorney who can help you evaluate and understand your case and potential damages.
Contact an Experienced Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been seriously hurt in a personal injury accident, you want an experienced and knowledgeable New York personal injury attorney on your side. Bonina & Bonina, P.C. understand the importance of helping catastrophic injury victims get the help they need for their trauma. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se Habla Español.