Catastrophic injuries are severe and often life-altering injuries that have long-term or permanent effects on the victim’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being. These injuries typically result from accidents, such as car crashes, workplace incidents, medical malpractice, or acts of violence.
Victims can experience profound impacts. They may be unable to perform daily activities, work, or enjoy anything close to a standard quality of life. At The Eberst Law Firm, we fight passionately for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries caused by the negligence of others.
If this has happened to you or someone close to you, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Call 1-888-CALL-JON or use our online form for a free consultation.
Amputation
This type of catastrophic injury can result from traumatic accidents, such as severe crush injuries, industrial accidents, or medical complications. Amputations can significantly impact a person’s mobility, independence, and overall functionality. Victims may need prosthetic limbs to compensate for the loss, and extensive physical rehabilitation is often necessary to adapt to the new circumstances.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord damage can lead to partial or complete loss of sensation and motor function below the level of the injury. These injuries often occur due to trauma, such as car accidents, falls, or sports-related incidents. Spinal cord injuries can affect not only mobility but also bodily functions. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, individuals may experience paraplegia (loss of function in the lower limbs) or quadriplegia (loss of function in both the upper and lower limbs).
Eye and Face Injuries
Catastrophic eye and face injuries can have devastating consequences, including vision loss and disfigurement. They can also impair essential functions like breathing, speaking, or eating. These injuries can occur in various situations, such as workplace accidents involving chemicals or hazardous materials, automobile accidents, or physical assaults. The impact on a person’s appearance, communication ability, and overall quality of life can be extensive. Victims often require extensive medical interventions, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitative treatments.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage can occur due to trauma, medical procedures, or diseases. Catastrophic nerve injuries can lead to chronic pain, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, or paralysis in the affected area. Victims may experience limitations in their ability to perform basic tasks and experience significant challenges in their daily lives.
Paralysis
Paralysis is a lifelong condition. When someone experiences paralysis, they may require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and support. Seeking the assistance of a specialized medical team, including neurologists, physiatrists, and therapists, is crucial for managing the physical and emotional aspects of paralysis.
Pursuing legal action through a skilled catastrophic injury attorney can help individuals with paralysis secure the financial resources needed to cover medical expenses, assistive devices, home modifications, ongoing care, and other necessary accommodations.
Someone with paralysis will have to deal with significant challenges for the rest of their life. Some of these challenges include the following:
- Lack of mobility: Depending on the extent of paralysis, individuals may require assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, or braces to move around. They may also need modifications to their living environment to enhance accessibility.
- Self-care: Paralysis can affect the ability to perform essential self-care tasks independently, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding. Assistance or adaptive equipment may be necessary to address these challenges.
- Communication: Paralysis may impact speech. Victims may need alternative communication methods, such as speech-generating devices.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can result from traumatic accidents, such as falls, sports injuries, or motor vehicle accidents. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) with long-lasting effects. They can cause severe cognitive impairments, memory loss, personality changes, motor function limitations, and even coma or vegetative states. Rehabilitation for brain injuries is often extensive and may involve various therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Neurological Damage
Neurological damage affects the brain and the nerves found throughout the human body and the spinal cord. This may be in the form of structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord, or other nerves. This injury heavily overlaps with a brain injury.
It can result from various factors, including trauma and medical negligence.
Neurological damage can affect the central, peripheral, or both nervous systems. This damage can significantly impair motor function, coordination, cognition, and sensory perception.
Treatment and rehabilitation for neurological damage depend on the specific condition and its underlying cause. Options may include medication management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other specialized interventions to address the individual’s unique needs.
Crushing Injuries
When the body undergoes a significant amount of force, this can cause severe damage to muscles, bones, organs, and tissues. Crush injuries commonly result from accidents involving heavy machinery, such as construction or industrial equipment.
Victims of truck accidents will often be pinned inside the wreckage, leading to crushing injuries. These can lead to severe fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, compartment syndrome, and other serious complications. The long-term consequences of crushing injuries can be debilitating, requiring extensive medical treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
Recovering Damages for a Catastrophic Injury
Any catastrophic injury can lead to astronomical expenses. When someone suffers this type of injury due to the negligence of another, they can seek to recover their damages. These are the financial losses resulting from the accident, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- And many others
A skilled attorney can establish the negligence or liability of the responsible party and prove the extent of the damages suffered. They’ll work to gather evidence and, if needed, consult with experts. They’ll also assess the full extent of the damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, pursue a lawsuit on behalf of the injured individual.
Contact The Eberst Law Firm to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
The consequences of catastrophic injuries can be life-altering, and securing proper legal representation is vital to obtain the compensation necessary for your ongoing care and well-being.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, seek legal representation to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. The Eberst Law Firm specializes in catastrophic injury cases. We can provide you with a free case evaluation to assess the details of your situation. Contact us online or call 1-888-CALL-JON.
