In personal injury law, the phrase “catastrophic injury” is reserved for injuries that will have a significant, long-term or permanent impact on a victim’s life. Catastrophic injuries may refer to physical disabilities, cognitive impairment or the loss of an important bodily function. In general, an accident victim with a catastrophic injury can benefit from representation by a Denver personal injury lawyer when filing a claim.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is the most severe level of injury before fatalities. It is an injury that results in a long-term or lifelong disability for a victim, which could refer to mental and/or physical impairments. Catastrophic injuries interfere with a victim’s daily life, ability to participate in favorite activities and capacity to earn a living through gainful employment. In the most severe cases, victims who suffer catastrophic injuries in accidents require around-the-clock care.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can affect virtually any part of the body. A catastrophic accident may injure the bones, skin, soft tissues, or one or more organs, including the brain. Examples include:
- Multiple bone fractures: more than one broken bone at a time, resulting in serious physical debilitation.
- Traumatic brain injury: damage or harm to any part of the brain, potentially resulting in long-term physical, emotional and cognitive challenges.
- Spinal cord injury: damage to the spinal cord, which could inflict permanent paralysis (loss of feeling and function) on a victim.
- Amputations: the loss of one or more limbs in a traumatic accident or medically necessary amputations due to severe injuries, such as crush injuries or third-degree burns.
- Organ damage: injuries that affect the internal organs, including the kidneys, liver, heart and lungs. This can also refer to serious internal bleeding or hemorrhaging.
- Significant scarring or disfigurement: injuries that leave permanent marks on a victim’s body, such as severe burn injuries or a violent dog attack.
- Loss of vision or hearing: alterations to or the permanent loss of a victim’s ability to hear and see due to ear or eye injuries.
Our experienced team of Denver car accident lawyers have handled many types of auto accidents in Denver which have resulted in catastrophic injuries, including truck accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian collisions, and slip and fall accidents.
How Much Is a Catastrophic Injury Claim Worth?
Catastrophic injuries are particularly serious or extreme, with a significant impact on one or more aspects of a victim’s life. The victim may be diagnosed with a permanent disability, for example, that requires a considerable amount of medical care – now and in the future.
Even if a catastrophic injury is not permanent, it may take the victim months or years to heal. During this time, the victim may suffer from physical pain, emotional harm and financial losses. If someone else caused the accident that left you or a loved one with a catastrophic injury in Colorado, financial compensation may be available.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit with help from an attorney could result in a payout for various losses, including medical bills, losses of income, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. While no amount of money can make up for a life-changing catastrophic injury, a successful claim could make it easier for you to afford related costs and move forward.
A catastrophic injury may affect you or a loved one for life. For assistance with the legal claims process, contact an attorney at Manning Law for a free case consultation in Denver.
