Catastrophic injuries fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, but these types of injuries are unlike other types of personal injuries due to the severe and often permanent nature of them. On the other hand, other personal injuries are generally not permanent and victims are typically able to achieve a full recovery. Catastrophic injuries include those that affect the spine, spinal cord, or brain.
COMMON CAUSES OF CATASTROPHIC INJURIES
Severe catastrophic injuries can occur almost anywhere and at any time, especially when negligence is involved. However, some of the most common causes of these injuries include:
- Motor vehicle and truck accidents
- Falls from height
- Sports and other recreational activities
- Medical errors
- Defective medical devices or drugs
- Workplace accidents
EXAMPLES OF CATASTROPHIC INJURIES
There several different types of injuries that are often considered catastrophic under the eyes of the law. Below is a list of the most common catastrophic injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries: This type of injury can result in lifelong impairment to one’s cognitive functions, abnormal speech and language, emotional issues, and the limited ability to move one’s arms and legs.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, respiratory and circulatory problems, chronic pain, and the loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Severe burn injuries: Burn injuries are not only painful, but they can also cause infections, disfigurement, loss of limb, and even permanent disabilities.
- Limb loss: The loss of a limb can result in serious emotional and physical challenges for the injured person as well as his or her family.
- Ruptured kidneys, spleen, liver, or bowels: These types of severe injuries can cause internal bleeding, which can potentially be life-threatening.
THE LIFELONG COST OF A CATASTROPHIC INJURY
Another reason why catastrophic injuries are generally treated differently under the eyes of the law is because they typically warrant greater damages due to the expenses that are involved with caring for such injuries. Some of the lifelong costs a victim of a catastrophic injury might face include:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Continued medical care
- Counseling
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medications
- Medical equipment, including a hospital bed at home, wheelchairs, and a lift
In addition to the medical costs associated with catastrophic injuries, compensation will also cover diminished earning capacity, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement, to name a few.
SKILLED CATASTROPHIC INJURY ATTORNEYS IN TULSA
If you sustained a catastrophic injury that was caused by another party’s negligent or careless actions, you should not suffer in silence. You need to obtain skilled legal guidance as soon as possible to ensure you are able to obtain the fair and just compensation you need and deserve during this difficult and challenging time. At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC in Tulsa, our skilled team of catastrophic injury attorneys is dedicated to fighting on behalf of those who have been wrongfully injured and backed by over 100 years of collective legal experience.
You should not have to go through this alone. Get started on your catastrophic injury case today and reach out to our law firm at 918-492-7674 to request a free initial case evaluation.