What Makes an Injury Legally Classified as Catastrophic?

What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

Accidents can cause many types of injuries, including catastrophic ones. Attorneys from a law firm in San Diego explain that the injuries can be life-threatening, completely changing your life’s trajectory. They can leave you dealing with permanent physical or psychological damage.

The American Medical Association (AMA) describes a catastrophic injury as one that results in permanent functional disability.

Characteristic of Catastrophic Injuries

San Diego personal injury lawyers say catastrophic injuries present the following common characteristics:

• They prevent you from performing gainful work
• A significant portion of your body is affected
• The injuries require emergency medical care to treat the initial injury
• The recovery period is lengthy
• The psychological and physical effects of the injuries can last for years or longer.
• Extended pain and suffering that may never fully resolve despite the medication and the length of the recovery time
• You need support from family or caregivers to help you care for yourself and provide for your needs.
• Treating catastrophic injuries can be costly in the short and long term.

Due to these characteristics, catastrophic injuries differ from common personal injuries. The latter will often not be near-fatal and may not cause permanent damage. However, never ignore a common injury because you think the damage may not be extensive. If left untreated, standard injuries can develop into complicated situations.

What Are Some Types of Catastrophic Injuries?

San Diego personal injury attorneys say there are numerous types of injuries that legal and medical professionals recognize as catastrophic because of their impact on the body and the amount of ongoing medical treatment and care victims require. They categorize them into two classes:

Physical Catastrophic Injuries

Physical catastrophic injuries inflict physical trauma and permanent damage to the body’s orthopedic tissue or function. Many physical injuries can become disastrous because they can leave you with permanent damage. Personal injury attorneys in San Diego highlight the following common examples of physical catastrophic injuries:

• Spinal cord injuries: Your spinal cord may suffer trauma if you slip and fall or get involved in a car accident. The damage may be temporary or permanent, but it will likely include significant pain and limit mobility.
• Severe burns: Fires that break out at workplaces, in cars, or on residential properties may cause second-degree or third-degree burns. Toxic chemicals that come into contact with the naked skin can cause burns that damage the muscle and bone, making amputation and skin grafts necessary to treat them.
• Organ injuries: Some physical catastrophic injuries may not be visible. Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and medical errors can lead to injuries that severely impact your internal organs. The symptoms may be nonspecific, such as vomiting, nausea, or feeling unwell. If not treated in time, they can become life-threatening.
• Multiple fractures: A single bone fracture can heal and resolve within a few weeks with proper treatment and care. However, multiple fractures may require a lot more effort and time to set the bones and allow them to heal properly. You may need screws and rods inserted into the body to stabilize the affected bones and ensure they heal correctly.
• Amputations: Some types of accidents, such as motor vehicle collisions, motorcycle crashes, or heavy machinery accidents at the workplace, can lead to the loss of a body part, such as the hands, toes, fingers, or feet. While surgeries may be necessary, they may not help reattach severely damaged body parts.
• Disfigurement or permanent scarring: Along with losing a limb, other injuries that result in permanent scarring or disfigurement can adversely affect your life. Complex bone fractures, severe burns, or lacerations can cause disfigurement.

Cognitive Catastrophic Injuries

San Diego personal injury lawyers say the other category of catastrophic injuries affects the brain. Also known as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), the damage results from severe blunt-force trauma to the brain. The permanent neurological damage can affect your ability to see, hear, walk, speak, think clearly, remember past events, or even create new memories.

TBIs range from mild to moderate to severe, with each level exhibiting different symptoms and recovery outcomes. The cost of treating the injuries can be high, and the recovery process differs from one individual to another.

What Are the Implications of Catastrophic Injuries?

The implications of catastrophic injuries are multifaceted and extensive:

• Medical expenses: The costs of past, current, and ongoing medical care for catastrophic injuries can be overwhelming. This includes costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.
• Loss of income: You may not be able to return to work after sustaining a catastrophic injury, leading to significant financial strain.
• Quality of life: Catastrophic injuries often lead to diminished quality of life. You may require personal car assistance and be severely limited in mobility, independence, and performance in many areas of life.
• Emotional and psychological impact: You may suffer depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the stress emanating from the catastrophic injury.

Given the devastating consequences of catastrophic injuries, your injuries must be adequately evaluated and categorized as such. The distinction is vital because legal compensation claims for these injuries are often more complicated. Working closely with experienced lawyers from a top-notch San Diego law firm is crucial to protecting your rights.

A Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Providing an Overview of Catastrophic Injuries

Suffering a catastrophic injury can be devastating because it can change your life forever. The medical bills, disability, reduced quality of life, ongoing pain and suffering, and the loss of autonomy can quickly take a toll on your emotional and mental health. If the damage was because of someone else’s negligence, consult skilled personal injury lawyers in San Diego.

They can help you seek compensation for your losses to enable you to rebuild your life. Finn Trial Attorneys, APC, is a reputable personal injury law firm in San Diego. Our legal experts can assess your situation and guide you from a legal perspective to help you protect your rights. We can file a compensation claim to demand a fair settlement. Call us at 619-375-5105 to schedule a FREE consultation.