07/02/2023
What is considered a Severe Personal Injury?
What is a Severe Personal Injury?
When you seek compensation for an injury that wasn’t your fault, you may wonder, “How do I know if my injury is severe enough to require legal assistance?” To determine whether you qualify for a catastrophic or severe injury lawsuit, you’ll need to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. In the meantime, here are some basic guidelines.
The law doesn’t have a definition of catastrophic injury, but it’s generally meant to include injuries which are severe and lead to long-term disability and/or disfigurement. They may be permanent and can require one, or multiple, surgeries. A lengthy rehabilitation process is often required, and the person may never fully recover.
A person who suffers a catastrophic injury may be unable to return to work for a long time, if ever, in their chosen occupation. The injury often results in a lessened quality of life for the individual who is now unable to do things they once were capable of doing. Some individuals may never be able to return to work, while others may be forced to take a lower-paying job because they’re unable to manage the tasks of their original profession. And while most people think of physical injuries, “catastrophic” can also apply to severe brain injuries that result in a loss of mental abilities.
Examples of severe injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries that result in partial or total paralysis
- Injuries that result in the loss of an arm, leg, eyesight, or hearing
- Injuries that result in permanent damage to an organ or loss of function of an organ or significant limitation on the function of an organ
Severe burn injuries may also be included, as well as those involving significant scarring or disfigurement. Usually, a doctor’s medical opinion and medical reports will be used to help define a catastrophic or severe injury. These injuries can occur as a result of a vehicle collision, workplace accident, medical malpractice or other traumatic scenarios.
What is a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?
As with all personal injury lawsuits, the person injured is entitled to receive compensation for all expenses relating to the injury and treatment. However, damages in a catastrophic injury case also include future treatment costs. Damages may also include pain and suffering the person has had to endure, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
A catastrophic injury case can be much more difficult to pursue, due to the complexities of the injury and future prognosis, assessing the reduced quality of life and determining future needs of the victim.
If you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury immediately seek counsel from an experienced attorney. Talk to us at the Deuterman Law Group for answers to your questions about how to properly bring a catastrophic injury claim.
