When you have been injured in an accident, it is likely that you will have many different questions about how to best protect yourself and whether or not you have grounds to file a legal claim. Your ability to file a legal claim will depend on numerous different factors such as the medical conditions or injuries you sustained in the accident and the other person’s liability. Consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer is strongly recommended as soon as possible after you’ve been involved in an accident.
Defining Catastrophic Injuries
Any injury from an accident has the potential to change your life, but a catastrophic injury rises above that level and often involves some long-term or permanent damage in your life.
One of the things that makes a catastrophic personal injury difficult is that there is no accepted legal or official definition of what makes an injury catastrophic. One of the most widely used definitions, however, is the one referring to an injury that prevents an individual from being able to carry out gainful work. This means you would no longer be able to remain employed after being involved in an accident and may struggle to support your family or yourself.
How a Catastrophic Personal Injury Affects Your Life
A catastrophic personal injury like this can have a serious impact on your future, whether it is a traumatic brain injury, paralysis, or a spinal cord injury. Expensive retraining may be offered in certain situations, but some people may never be able to return to work again.
The implications of a catastrophic injury reach far beyond the scope of your employment opportunities. You will most likely struggle with exercise, traveling, and participating in activities that are enjoyable for you prior to the accident, or going about your day to day life and maintaining the same quality of life. You may additionally suffer from emotional problems like depression, anxiety, or mental health issues that can lead to additional costs for you and your family.
Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries include amputations, severe burns, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, organ damage, exposure to hazardous substances and chemicals, and multiple bone fractures.
Causes of a Catastrophic Personal Injury
There are many different accidents that can cause one or more victims to suffer a life-changing injury. Some of the most common causes of these serious injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bike accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Work injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
This list, however, is by no means exhaustive. An injury can happen at any time and anywhere.
Whether your catastrophic injury was caused by a defective consumer product, a swimming pool accident, or construction accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation with the help of an experienced lawyer. If you’ve been the victim of a catastrophic personal injury, the dedicated lawyers at Bradley/Grombacher are here to fight for your rights. Learn more by filling out the form on this page.
