Catastrophic Injuries and the Law

Catastrophic injuries can occur in a variety of situations and damage just about anywhere on the body. Most people think about car accidents as the primary location for an injury of this magnitude.

However, they occur at places of high risk such as a construction zone, as a result of a defective consumer product, or even as the result of a pharmacy error or malfunctioning medical device.

Defined as an injury that permanently prevents someone from performing gainful work because of the severity and long-term effects which occur, catastrophic injuries can create a lifelong disability for an individual. As a result, medical costs and lost wages could negatively impact the life of the person injured along with their family.

If you’ve experienced a catastrophic injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, seeking out legal support from an experienced personal injury attorney can be your best course of action.

Common causes and types of catastrophic injuries 

Most catastrophic injuries occur as a result of an accident. In the case of motor vehicle accidents, severe injuries can happen in situations involving cars, trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. Additionally, an injury of this magnitude can take place as a result of:

• Water vehicle accidents
• Sport accidents
• Falling from a great height
• Experiencing a violent crime
• Enduring a fire or explosion
• Using a defective product

Injuries range from serious head trauma, to amputation, or multiple bone fractures. Damage can be done to the eye, shoulder, foot, back, neck, or brain. Severe burns, organ damage, spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders are also a possibility, along with injury resulting from exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances.

Each potential injury can lead to a lifetime of struggle that’s costly and stressful, which is why pursuing appropriate compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney is so essential.

Effects and the recovery process

The effects of these types of injuries vary, but most lead to long-term issues from paralysis to pain to mental health issues. Recovery is also lengthy and may require both physical and mental support to adjust to the changes a catastrophic injury may create.

Between the effects of the injury and the process of recovery, healing can require care over months, years, or even indefinitely. This can lead to loss of income from no longer being able to work. You may also experience a delay in returning as you learn how to function in the new physical state you may find yourself if your injury leads to paraplegia or quadriplegia.

What to expect when pursuing legal action

Enduring a catastrophic injury is challenging and stressful enough for the individual suffering as well as close family members. Adding in the confusion often felt by going through the legal process of pursuing a personal injury claim can feel daunting.

The legal process begins with establishing whether or not the catastrophic injury was caused by the negligent or intentional act of another or a dangerous or defective product. Settlements seek to compensate for the lifelong challenges that may result from the injury and are often much higher than with other personal injuries due to the severity.

Once your personal injury attorney establishes negligence, they then begin to work on establishing the the true impact of the injury. It most likely won’t be totally apparent by the time the claim goes to court.

An experienced attorney such as the ones at The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm can review all the details of your injury to build a case that includes adequate compensation for the extent of your recovery.

Providing the personal attention you need in a situation like this, they’ll work to get you the best possible outcome for your case. The initial consultation is free, so set up your first appointment today.