Article source: Javier Villarreal Law
Following an accident, survivors may succumb to varying degrees of injuries, and others may not make it out of the crash. While most people fully recover and resume daily activities, some accident victims suffer life-changing medical complications. Such injuries are known as catastrophic injuries.
Catastrophic injuries result in severe and permanent damage to the body. In such cases, patients hardly ever fully recover. In brief, a long-lasting injury that ultimately affects your quality of life or ability to work is catastrophic.
Here are some injury examples:
- Sight loss
- Hearing loss
- Severe burns
- Amputation
- Brain injuries
- Neurological damage
- Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis
- Facial injury leading to deformity
- Severe organ damage
- Occupational diseases, e.g., mesothelioma
Keep reading to know more about the causes and effects of catastrophic accidents on victims.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Thousands of people suffer catastrophic injuries each year. These life-altering incidents occur more often than many people realize, affecting individuals and families across the country. Fortunately, you can seek compensation for damages you suffer as a result of your injuries.
Catastrophic injuries could be a result of the following:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sport accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Product defects
- Medical malpractice
Effects on Compensation
Depending on your state, a catastrophic injury could influence the outcome of your compensation claim. For example, in no-fault states, drivers file personal injury claims using their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
However, if a person sustains severe injuries from an accident in a no-fault state, they may be allowed to file an injury claim against the at-fault party. To pursue this type of claim, the injuries must be serious enough to meet the legal threshold for this exception to apply.
Catastrophic injuries also influence the amount of compensation you qualify for. Typically, negligent drivers are required to compensate victims for their financial and non-financial losses.
Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages tend to be more severe in catastrophic accidents. Why? These injuries will likely affect your quality of life and cause you a lot of mental trauma. As a result, victims are considerably reimbursed since the damages are severe.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Before you file a personal injury claim, it is imperative to hire an attorney. Such professionals have the experience needed to handle these cases and can guide you smoothly through every step of the process.
Additionally, a lawyer will help you calculate past and future losses, protecting you from under-compensation. That said, you must ensure your lawyer has sufficient experience in handling catastrophic injury cases.
You should reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible because the statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a claim. You do not want to delay for too long as there isn’t an extension for catastrophic injuries. Your case could be dismissed if you make a claim after the deadline passes.
However, if you file your claim within the timeline and it becomes successful, you could be compensated for the following losses:
- Medical expenses, including ongoing treatment and future expenses
- Lost income, including all the bonuses from your employment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages if the defendant’s actions were outrightly negligent or reckless
End Note
“A catastrophic accident can severely and sometimes permanently impact an individual,” says attorney Javier Villarreal of Javier Villarreal Injury Law Firm. “Such injuries may require extensive medical treatment for an extended period, which makes contacting legal professionals so important.”
If you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury, ensure you hire a qualified lawyer to help with filing the personal injury claim. They can build a strong case to secure compensation that can cover your financial losses, reduced quality of life, and the broader personal and relational impacts of the injury.
