Some injuries are far more debilitating than others. While minor bruises, fractures, or soft tissue damage might require rest and medical treatment, catastrophic injuries fundamentally change a person’s way of life.
Though the term catastrophic injury is used primarily by attorneys and doctors, it’s important for everyone to know what it entails. That’s because if you suffer one as the result of someone else’s negligence, you’re likely entitled to far more compensation than you would be if you suffered minor injuries.
Which Types of Injuries Are Considered Catastrophic?
Catastrophic injury describes a range of injuries. Some of the injuries most commonly referred to as catastrophic injuries include:
- Severe brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Any injury that leads to paralysis
- Blindness
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limbs
- Severe burn injuries
There are other examples of catastrophic injuries, but most would fall under one or more of the above categories.
Common Traits of Catastrophic Injuries
Though catastrophic injuries come in many forms, they tend to have a few things in common. They’re typically expensive, painful, and disabling.
In many cases, a catastrophic injury leads to:
- A significantly reduced work capacity. Someone who suffers a catastrophic injury will often be completely unable to work. If the victim can work, it’s typically in a diminished, lower-paying role compared to the one they had before the injury.
- Costly, ongoing medical expenses. Catastrophic injuries aren’t just the costliest injuries, they also require months, years, or a lifetime of medical care and ongoing assistance.
- A fundamental change in the victim’s quality of life. These injuries often lead to dramatic changes in the way a person lives their life. The victim might not be able to do their job, play with their children, or take part in their favorite activities.
Legal Considerations After a Catastrophic Injury
When someone suffers a catastrophic injury caused by another’s negligence, they have the right to demand compensation for many of the costs they’re facing. The damages in these cases are far greater than those involving less severe injuries, which means the stakes are incredibly high for the victim.
It’s important for catastrophic injury victims to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after their injury occurs. The at-fault party’s insurance company might attempt to contact the injured person to ask for a statement about the incident that caused the injury. The victim should not speak to that insurance company’s representative, nor should they accept any offer made by the insurer, before their medical treatment is complete.
Insurance companies often attempt to pay less than an injured person deserves, especially when the injury is catastrophic. When the victim has an experienced attorney on their side, they can focus on their recovery and let their attorney fight to get them the compensation they deserve.
Need Legal Help? Contact Fieger Law Today
The Michigan catastrophic injury lawyers at Fieger Law have decades of experience fighting for maximum compensation in cases involving serious injuries. We’ve achieved many record-setting results in these types of cases, and we can help you with your legal claim.
