According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 17,900 spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States alone. This means that roughly 49 accidents happen every day around the country.
Young adults and people who work in risky jobs, like construction or on high buildings, seem to be more likely to become victims of these injuries.
As a victim of catastrophic injuries, you have the right to seek compensation against the party that caused you this grievous accident. It could be your employer, the property owner, another driver, or even a product manufacturer.
Whichever the case may be, a competent attorney can help you navigate the process and obtain maximum compensation for your pain and suffering.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
Imagine an injury so serious that it changes your life forever. That’s what a catastrophic injury is. It’s not just a broken bone that heals in a few weeks. These are wounds that leave lasting damage, making everyday activities difficult or impossible.
These injuries often require extensive medical care, therapy, and even surgery to try and get better, but sometimes there’s no going back to the way things were before.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries?
There are different kinds of catastrophic injuries, each with its own challenges. Here are the most common injuries that are considered catastrophic.
Victims of these injuries are likely to get maximum compensation:
Spinal Cord Injuries
This is when the spinal cord, which carries messages between your brain and body, gets damaged. This damage can make it hard or even impossible to move your arms, legs, or feel things in certain parts of your body.
Brain Injuries
When the brain gets hurt in an accident, it can affect how we think, remember, speak, or move. Sometimes these injuries are mild and people recover quickly, but other times they can be very serious and cause lifelong problems.
Amputations
Sometimes, due to a severe injury or illness, an arm, leg, finger, or toe may need to be removed. This can be a huge adjustment, as everyday tasks become much more difficult.
Severe Burns
Burns can be incredibly painful and cause scarring. Serious burns can affect a large area of the body and require long-term medical care to heal properly.
Organ Damage
If an organ gets damaged in an accident, it might not work the way it’s supposed to. In some cases, the damage can be so bad that the person might need an organ transplant.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries can happen in many ways, but some situations are more likely to cause them than others. Here are a few common causes:
● Car Accidents: Crashes between cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even bikes can cause serious injuries. The faster you’re going, the worse the accident can be.
● Falls: A slip and fall on the sidewalk or even at home can have serious consequences, especially for older adults or those with weak bones and other preexisting conditions.
● Workplace Accidents: Working in construction, in factories, or around dangerous machines can be risky. If safety rules aren’t followed, an accident can happen and cause a serious injury.
● Medical Mistakes: Sometimes, even doctors and nurses make mistakes. If a surgery goes wrong or someone gets the wrong medication, it can lead to a catastrophic injury.
● Violence: Unfortunately, violence like shootings or assaults can cause very serious injuries that leave lasting damage.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer isn’t just there to fight for money. They are there to be a source of support and guidance during a difficult time. They can connect you with resources to help you cope with the emotional impact of your injury. Most importantly, they take up the role of legal advocate and fight for your rights as you move on with your life.
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.
