What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries fundamentally alter the trajectory of your life. You may develop permanent disabilities, require long-term medical care, and experience profound changes to your ability to work, care for yourself, or enjoy the activities you once loved.
The financial, physical, and emotional impact of a catastrophic injury can affect every aspect of your life and the lives of your loved ones. If someone else is responsible for your catastrophic injury, you have the right to hold them accountable for these losses and recover the compensation you need to adapt to your new normal.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
The spinal cord serves as the main pathway for communication between your brain and the rest of your body, and when this delicate structure suffers damage, the results can be permanent. These injuries can result in complete or incomplete paralysis, affecting your ability to move, feel sensations, or control bodily functions below the point of injury.
If you suffer a spinal cord injury, you may require extensive rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and round-the-clock care. Many survivors face complications like respiratory problems, blood clots, and pressure sores that demand ongoing medical attention throughout their lives.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Cognitive Impairment
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from violent blows or jolts to your head that disrupt normal brain function. Severe TBIs can cause lasting cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments that dramatically reshape your daily existence. You might struggle with memory loss, difficulty concentrating, impaired judgment, or personality changes that strain relationships with family and friends.
TBIs are often permanent, and you may require specialized care to adjust to your new reality. You may find yourself unable to return to your previous employment or live independently, creating financial hardship alongside the personal challenges you face.
Severe Burns and Disfigurement
Third and fourth-degree burn injuries can destroy the skin, muscle, and sometimes bone. Survivors often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation. The pain from severe burns is excruciating and can persist long after the initial injury.
Beyond the physical pain and lengthy recovery process, severe burns often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. You may struggle with depression, anxiety, and social isolation while adapting to these changes in your appearance and self-image.
Amputations
An amputation occurs when a limb or extremity is traumatically removed from your body or when medical professionals deem amputation necessary to save your life or prevent further complications. Adapting to life with an amputation means learning to use prosthetic devices, modifying your living space, and potentially changing careers.
Loss of limb injuries are a lifelong change which can be emotionally and physically exhausting as you rebuild fundamental skills you once took for granted. You may also face overwhelming expenses for prosthetic devices that require regular replacement, ongoing physical therapy, and accessibility modifications to your home and vehicle.
Secure Maximum Compensation for Catastrophic Harm
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, the legal complexities can be as overwhelming as the medical challenges. These life-altering injuries require substantial financial resources for treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care—costs that can quickly exceed insurance policy limits.
A San Diego catastrophic injury attorney at Estey & Bomberger has the resources, experience, and knowledge to build a comprehensive claim that accounts for your lifetime needs. They will work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to ensure nothing is overlooked in calculating damages. Schedule a free consultation today and learn what a lawyer can do for you.