Understanding Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury is a serious affliction that is often caused by an accident. Depending on the extent of the injury, it can lead to long term or permanent disabilities. This not only puts a strain on the person suffering from the condition, but it also can be a hindrance to the family members if constant supervision or special care is needed for the rest of their lives. Here you will find some helpful information to better understand the term catastrophic injury and the effects resulting from this type of condition.

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

When a person is catastrophically harmed, the condition of their lives is permanently changed. The injuries sustained can last a week, several months, years or forever. This can include both mental and physical disabilities if the damage is critical. The consequences can be life altering for the victim of the injury as well as the family. Not only will you have to deal with the care and supervision, catastrophic injuries can be financially debilitating if not handled properly.

What are the Causes?

There are a variety of causes from a catastrophic injury, and each of these incidents can happen to anyone. Some of the most serious catastrophic causes include automobile collisions, accidents related to drunken driving, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, injury due to defective merchandise and prescription errors. According to our Indiana personal injury lawyer, depending on the circumstances, the victim of a serious injury or accident may be able to seek financial compensation if another person was the cause of the incident or neglect.

What are the Symptoms?

Some of the symptoms associated with a catastrophic injury can include mild to severe ailments. These types of symptoms may be so critical that the victim may be unable to work and function properly. Even the smallest of daily tasks like showering, combing your hair and eating can be difficult to undertake. Injuries to the brain can even alter a personality and make it difficult for the victim to remember family and friends. Other symptoms include severe burns, back, neck and brain injuries, paralysis, paraplegia, organ damage and death.

Legal Compensation

A person harmed due to a catastrophic injury has the legal rights to seek monetary compensation for their injuries. An experienced injury attorney will be able to handle your case and prove that your impairment will affect your mode of living for years or even permanently. Make sure to find an attorney that is familiar with your type of injury, so they will be able to fight for your rights and recover the maximum compensation. A court typically awards damages in a sum that equates to the person’s body being whole again. Certain factors to take into consideration include loss of work wages, an endless pile of medical bills, quality of life, pain, suffering, mental distress and the necessary medical attention that the victim requires.

Suffering from a catastrophic injury can have serious repercussions on the victim, spouse and children, especially if the injuries sustained require long term care. If monetary compensation is not sought after, the physical, mental and financial burdens can be crippling to all parties involved.

Katie Hewatt is a legal researcher and contributing author for www.sevenishlaw.com, an Indiana personal injury lawyer firm founded by Randy Sevenish in 1985. Attorney Sevenish has 21 years of experience with catastrophic injury cases. If you or a loved one has received a catastrophic injury due to someone else's negligence contact an attorney as soon as possible to get compensation for your injuries. Sevenish Law Firm offers a free initial consultation of your case.