What is the Difference Between a Catastrophic and a Non-Catastrophic Injury?

Not every accident is life-threatening or leaves the victim with lasting injuries that forever alter the way they live their lives. These may be considered minor injuries or non-catastrophic injuries. On the other hand, a catastrophic injury may leave a victim disabled or forever altered by the unfortunate accident that they were lucky to survive.

The primary difference between a catastrophic and a non-catastrophic injury is that while someone may eventually recover from a non-catastrophic injury, those who survive a catastrophic injury will permanently change their bodies and minds.

If you or a loved one have suffered a catastrophic injury, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Solid legal representation makes it possible to recover compensation that could help pay for some of the significant adjustments in the lives of those affected by catastrophic injuries. And while no amount of financial settlement may ever return things to how they used to be, such a settlement may comfort injured victims and lessen the financial burdens of living with their injuries.

What Are Examples of Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries are perhaps most widely represented by traumatic brain injuries, but there are other such injuries that victims and their families should be aware of.

Examples of catastrophic injuries include:

  • Amputated arms or legs, either in the accident itself or in the aftermath of the accident at the hospital.
  • Birth injuries, such as injuries to the newborn’s skull or spine.
  • Ear injuries, including the loss of hearing or severe ringing sounds in the ear canal that never go away.
  • Eye injuries, including the loss of sight.
  • Facial injuries which cause deformities.
  • Mesothelioma.
  • Nerve damage and soft tissue damage.
  • Partial or complete paralysis.
  • Serious mental health conditions, including but not limited to debilitating post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD),
  • Severe organ damage.
  • Severe second and third-degree burns.
  • Spinal cord injuries which limit the mobility of accident victims.
  • Throat and jaw injuries which may limit the ability to speak.
  • Traumatic brain injuries which cause lasting brain damage and limit cognitive skills.

What Are Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?

These types of horrific injuries can occur in a number of different ways, including:

  • Assaults.
  • Car collisions.
  • Commercial trucking accidents.
  • Construction site accidents.
  • Defective products.
  • Dog bites and other animal attacks.
  • Falls from great heights or slip-and-fall accidents and trip-and-fall accidents.
  • Hotel and amusement park accidents.
  • Medical malpractice.
  • Motorcycle crashes.
  • Pedestrian accidents.
  • Recreational activities gone wrong.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Workplace accidents.

Catastrophic injuries can occur when we live life to the fullest or just do our daily duties. We never know when the accidents that will forever alter our lives may strike. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in an accident like one of those mentioned here, we hope that you sought the proper medical attention necessary for your pain and suffering. Following your medical assessment, it’s essential that you speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer with experience representing clients who’ve suffered catastrophic injuries.

Can You Obtain Financial Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries?

With a strong case it is possible to recover financial compensation for your catastrophic injuries. However, it is not always as simple as it should be.

In order to recover the proper settlement for your case, it’s important that your case establish fault. Usually this will mean showing that another party’s negligence, recklessness, or criminal actions were directly responsible for your accident and the injuries you suffered. To establish these facts, an investigation must take place. The sooner you speak with a personal injury attorney, the sooner that attorney will be able to begin crafting a case to represent your claims.

With a solid case, your lawyers can potentially recover economic, non-economic, and maybe even punitive damages for your case.

Economic damages could take the form of lost wages, medical expenses, loss of future income, and property damage. You may recover non-economic damages for things like mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, lost quality of life, loss of companionship, disfigurement, loss of social life, disability, and emotional distress. If the actions of the at-fault party were especially egregious or even purposefully malice, you might be able to recover punitive damages as well.

Contact Our Law Firm to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

Catastrophic injuries are life-altering events that leave the survivors irrevocably changed. These injuries similarly alter the victim’s families, as many must either care for them personally or pay large sums of money to ensure that they are provided with the health care that they require. Unfortunately, these families are often left to fend for themselves against insurance companies who desperately want to save money at every opportunity.

You and your loved ones should not have to deal with the legal system and the insurance companies alone. Instead, you should be allowed the proper time to recover from your accident and, hopefully, find a new sense of normal in life after a catastrophic injury. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney can provide helpful assistance acting in your interests.

Let us handle the insurance company and the legal matters surrounding your accident. The legal team of The Paris Firm has years of experience representing clients dealing with minor and catastrophic injuries.

As your lawyers, we would be proud to represent your case while we strive to recover the maximum compensation for your catastrophic injuries. Our law firm offers a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. If you would like the opportunity to speak with a member of our team, please call us at 909.325.6185.