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What is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is a term used in personal injury lawsuits to describe a victim’s injury that is severe, leading to long-term or permanent disability or disfigurement. In many cases, the recovery from a catastrophic injury can entail multiple surgeries and medical treatments throughout the victim’s lifetime. Often, someone who has sustained such an injury may not be able to go back to the life they once knew, such as returning to work or doing the activities they once enjoyed.
While you can’t entirely prevent a catastrophic injury, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. Here’s what you need to know.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
The most common types of catastrophic injuries are:
- Spinal cord injuries may include damage to the spinal cord or spinal cord nerves. This type of injury could lead to paralysis.
- Amputation such as the removal of a limb.
- Eye injuries may include the loss of an eye, loss of vision, chemical burns in the eye, or retinal detachment.
- Traumatic brain injuries may include trauma or blow to the head, which disrupts the brain's normal function.
- Dismemberment can include the loss of a limb or any other extremity such as an arm or leg.
- Severe burns, second-degree or higher, and covering more than 10% of the body are considered a catastrophic injury. The type of burn can have an impact on the severity, such as an electrical burn or chemical burn.
What are the Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?
While any kind of accident can cause a catastrophic injury, the following are the most common ways devastating injuries can happen.
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Sports events accidents
- Acts of violence
- Accidents during military duty
- Trips and falls
Reducing Your Risk of a Catastrophic Injury
A catastrophic injury can happen in the blink of an eye. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
At Work - If you work on a construction site or in areas where you may be exposed to hazardous materials, make sure you wear proper gear such as helmets, gloves, or protective eyewear. Be aware of your surroundings to avoid a trip or fall.
Playing Sports - When playing your favorite sport, be sure to wear the recommended safety equipment such as helmets, mouth guards, face shields, as well as protective cups and eye gear.
While Driving - Motor vehicle crashes are one of the most common ways catastrophic injuries can happen. Practice defensive driving and stay far from other drivers who are:
Driving aggressively or erratically
Seemingly intoxicated
Tailgating
Texting or talking while driving
Not obeying traffic signals and other rules of the road
Contact a Corpus Christi Personal Injury Lawyer
Our Corpus Christi personal injury attorneys are here to help if you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury due to another’s negligence. At Bandas Law Firm, we understand that a catastrophic injury can be life-altering physically, emotionally, and financially. Let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (361) 238-2789 to learn how we can assist you.
