A catastrophic injury in one in which a life, and often several other lives of family members, are forever changed. It is an event characterized by not only disabilities and difficulty with normal day-to-day activities, but also severe financial and emotional stress on a victim’s family.
Any sudden trauma that brings such massive change is likely going to bring a difficult adjustment period. What would you do if tomorrow you were informed that your spouse owes more than $100,000 in medical bills and is going to need your care 24/7 for the remainder of their life? These are the most frequently asked questions regarding catastrophic injuries.
Catastrophic injuries come with serious, long-term effects. Many times the effects are permanent, leaving a person unable to work and perform substantial gainful activity by which they could support themselves. They include, but are not limited to, spinal cord injuries, head and face trauma, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, amputation, eye injuries, organ damage, or multiple bone fractures. This is not an exhaustive list. However, you can see that the common denominator in the listed injuries would be ongoing, long-term effects.
Though these injuries can occur in a number of ways, the number one cause of catastrophic injuries are car accidents. It’s possible to file a lawsuit depending on the circumstances. If you have been injured due to the recklessness or negligence of another, an accident attorney will know how to create legal arguments in an attempt to prove fault and obtain financial compensation. He or she may also consult with an expert witness to determine the financial value of your case based on a projection of future income that will no longer be available. It is their ultimate goal to win enough money for your family that it can continue to thrive while being able obtain an appropriate level of medical care