An injury is classified as catastrophic when it leaves a victim with long-term consequences and life-changing impacts. A catastrophic injury may involve the spinal cord, spine, skull, or brain. Catastrophic injuries also include serious burns, injuries involving the lungs and heart, and certain types of birth injuries. In other words, catastrophic injuries cover a wide range of ailments, making it difficult to differentiate a catastrophic injury from a less serious injury. In this article, we examine what makes an injury catastrophic.
The Difference Between Catastrophic Injuries and Other Types of Injuries
The primary difference between a catastrophic injury and a common injury is that catastrophic injuries are more severe in nature. Specific types of injuries that are often classified as catastrophic include:
- Skull fractures
- Bruised or severed spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Displaced, herniated, or fractured disks
- Mild brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Total or partial paralysis
- Permanent nerve damage or injury
- Limb amputation
- Severe burns requiring skin grafts
- Quadriplegia or paraplegia
- Loss of hearing, eyesight or another senses
However, perhaps the most important thing that sets catastrophic injuries apart from routine injuries is the financial compensation available to victims. Although all injury victims may be entitled to damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit, the damages available in catastrophic injury cases tend to be much higher than those involving lesser injuries.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
The causes of catastrophic injuries are numerous. Some of the most common ways people suffer catastrophic injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Use of defective products
- Slip and fall accidents
- Participation in sports
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
The Results of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries have extreme consequences for their victims. These types of injuries routinely result in permanent impairment, the loss of enjoyment of life, and even the inability to hold a job. In other words, catastrophic injuries are often life-changing. Unfortunately, these physical and mental consequences are often accompanied by serious financial hardships. Often, the cost of treatment for catastrophic injuries is more than most people can handle financially. In fact, such injuries often leave victims and their families with a lifetime of continued medical costs and reduced wages. Fortunately, however, the victims of catastrophic injuries may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Therefore, if you are the victim of such an injury, it is recommended that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to explore your legal options.
Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
If you or a loved one have suffered a catastrophic injury, you should contact an experienced Georgia catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as possible for assistance. At Griffin Durham Tanner Clarkson LLC, our catastrophic injury attorneys will work hard to ensure that you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. We understand the psychological and physical pain that catastrophic injury victims endure, so we will treat you with the utmost dignity and compassion as we fight for your right to be compensated for the hardship you have suffered. Please contact us immediately to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our talented attorneys.