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Any injury can seem devastating to the person who sustains it, especially when it is the result of someone else’s negligence. However, the law considers some injuries to be worse than others. These injuries are called catastrophic injuries because of how they significantly impact a person’s life.
Catastrophic injuries include the following:
- Spine injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Severely broken bones
- Internal organ damage
Injuries that cause a lifetime of damages can be considered catastrophic. They often require long-term care, specialized medical equipment, and more. It’s vital to recognize your rights and how to move forward if you suffer one of these catastrophic injuries because of someone else’s negligence.
Severe Injuries and Common Causes
The above injuries are some of the most severe that you can sustain. Unfortunately, they can also happen in nearly any situation in which negligence is involved. For instance, a car accident can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severely broken bones, and internal organ damage. A crash can also cause burn injuries if a fire starts.
Some other causes of catastrophic injuries include:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Slip and falls
- Workplace accidents
- Medical negligence
Of course, the worst injuries are those that result in fatalities. However, in these cases, it’s the family of the decedent who can pursue compensation for the damages sustained. It’s vital to recognize causation when pursuing compensation so that you can feel confident about your claim.
Your Rights After a Catastrophic Injury
When someone else causes you to sustain a catastrophic injury, you deserve to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Personal injury law recognizes these injuries as catastrophic and allows the victim to seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses associated with the damages.
- Economic damages can cover your medical expenses and lost wages that cost you out-of-pocket. Your lawsuit should include the long-term care that may be necessary for the lifelong treatment of catastrophic injuries.
- Your non-economic damages can cover the reduced quality of life that you experience because of your catastrophic injury. Your pain and suffering, inability to complete certain tasks, and other mental anguish you may experience can all come into play when seeking non-economic compensation.
You can work to hold the negligent party accountable, but you need to take steps that keep your rights safe. Gather as much information about your injury, including all medical reports that show your condition’s severity. The more severe your injury, the more you might be able to recover. However, working with a lawyer can be the most effective thing you do through the process.
Why It’s Vital to Work with a Lawyer
In terms of non-economic compensation, it’s more difficult to prove how severe your situation is. You don’t have receipts or bills that show your losses. However, you can work with a lawyer to help maximize the compensation you might recover. A lawyer can utilize all the necessary evidence so that you can feel confident when navigating the most complex legal matters.
After a catastrophic injury, you need someone on your side to help you. Hiring legal counsel gives you peace of mind throughout the process and allows you to focus on your recovery. Our team at Warner Law Offices, PLLC is here for you when you need us most, ready to help you seek justice.
Our West Virginia personal injury attorneys have extensive experience representing clients who endure some of the most severe injuries because of negligence. We know what it takes to help through the claims-filing process and pursue the most favorable outcome. When you hire our team, you get our full commitment to your best interests when it matters most to you.
