Laurel Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

A catastrophic injury is a form of bodily harm that affects an individual’s ability to function in the manner they did before their accident, usually for life. Many people are able to continue to take care of themselves and even hold a job after suffering from such an injury; however, many others cannot, and require permanent treatment and/or care.

Examples of debilitating catastrophic injuries include:

• Severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Severe burns
• Loss of limb
• Paralysis
• Quadriplegia
• Neck & Back Injuries
• Paraplegia
• Vision or hearing loss
• Injuries to the central nervous system

Catastrophic injuries can have myriad causes, but for the purpose of personal injury claims, we will focus on those that involve accidents that happened due to the negligence of other individuals.

Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents: Accidents on the road involving any combination of passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists can be incredibly devastating. In the field of personal injury, most catastrophic injuries result from motor vehicle accidents.
• Medical malpractice: If a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare professional makes a mistake during treatment, this could lead to permanent damage to a patient. Catastrophic injuries caused by medical malpractice often involve botched surgeries and anesthesia errors.
• Slip and fall accidents: Slip and fall accidents can be extremely harmful; in fact, they are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Falls can also lead to spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and even wrongful death. 
• Work-related accidents: Catastrophic injuries can occur in any workplace, but are most common at high-risk jobs, such as construction, industrial, warehouse, and factory work. Examples include objects falling onto workers from a height, heavy equipment that can crush or amputate body parts if used incorrectly, and permanent back pain caused by heavy lifting.
• Assault and battery: While such crimes usually don’t fall under personal injury, you can file a “premises labially” claim if you were attacked on someone’s property due to their lack of adequate security.

On top of the stress, pain, and trauma that often come with catastrophic injuries, the cost of any related medical bills tends to be staggering. Most catastrophic injury victims require ongoing treatment and assistance for life, which is why it is imperative you file a claim for damages if you were wrongfully injured.

Filing a catastrophic injury claim will allow you to sue the at-fault party for damages. Damages include any losses you have suffered as a result of your accident and should cover all accident-related costs now and into the future, setting you up for life—as long as you have a strong claim and the right attorney to back it up.

The types of damages you are eligible to receive for suffering a catastrophic injury include:

• Medical expenses: Any medical costs related to your accident will be covered or reimbursed, including hospitalization, prescription medication, surgeries, physical therapy, counseling, and more.
• Lost wages: If your injury puts you out of work, either temporarily or for good, you can receive compensation that will cover the wages you would have made had you been fit to work.
• Pain and suffering: A catastrophic injury can cause immense agony, both physically and mentally. “Pain and suffering” is a category of compensation that was created to financially make up for such non-financial losses.