What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

Injuries are classified in several ways. As the victim, your primary concern is getting better. Classifying an injury as catastrophic means it has long-term or life-changing consequences. Often these injuries involve the spine, spinal cord, brain, or skull. They can also include burns, internal organ damage, and birth injuries. Catastrophic injuries can cover a range of injuries making it challenging to differentiate them. Your Houston catastrophic injury lawyer from The Doan Law Firm PLLC will work with your medical team on the classification. 

Catastrophic and Other Injuries 

The difference between catastrophic injuries is the severity. Catastrophic injuries are more severe than other injuries. Some injuries that are usually referred to as catastrophic include:

• Amputations 
• Organ damage
• Skull fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord trauma 
• Paralysis 
• Burns requiring skin grafts 
• Herniated or fractured discs 
• Permanent nerve damage 
• Loss of hearing or eyesight 

This is not an exhaustive list, as there are many injuries that can lead to life-changing consequences. A significant concern is the financial implications of these injuries. What makes it worse for victims is they must adjust their entire lifestyle. It can also require family members to become caregivers. 

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries 

It is shocking to learn how these injuries can happen. They can occur during seemingly minor accidents. Any accident that results in injuries is not insignificant. The most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Truck accidents
• Car Accident
• Workplace incident 
• Defective products
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents 
• Construction accidents 

A catastrophic injury can happen anywhere for any reason. The accidents that can lead to catastrophic injuries will range beyond this list. After you are in an accident, you must get medical attention. Some catastrophic injuries will show symptoms immediately, while others do not. As soon as you feel pain, you must seek medical attention. 

What Happens After a Catastrophic Injury 

The most significant consequence of catastrophic injuries is the permanent impact on the person’s life. Many of these injuries lead to permanent impairment and loss of enjoyment of life. Since your injuries impact so much of your life, working is nearly impossible. Some injuries can allow you to work but at a lower capacity than before. The accident was not your fault, but you are facing the financial burden of it. 

These injuries’ physical, emotional, mental, and financial toll lasts a lifetime. Many victims will stay optimistic and believe that this will blow over soon. As much as our injury lawyer wishes this were true, these injuries come with a lifetime of stress. 

Recovering Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries 

A catastrophic injury requires ongoing medical attention. It also leaves many victims disabled. An excellent recourse is to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. The compensation you can seek will be higher than in other cases. That also means the defendant will fight harder not to give you money. You can seek compensation for the following:

• Medical treatment
• Home modification 
• Caregiver services  
• Property damage
• Medical devices 
• Mental anguish 

Call The Doan Law Firm PLLC 

If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury after an accident in Texas, call The Doan Law Firm PLLC. We can offer legal assistance for your Houston personal injury claim. Call our office today.