What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

Suffering any type of injury in an unexpected accident can impact your life. With a severe or catastrophic injury, however, the impact can be enormous. A catastrophic injury is in a category of its own within the context of personal injury law. If your injuries reach the level of catastrophic, it is essential to work with a personal injury attorney during your injury claim.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

In legal terminology, a catastrophic injury is one that is severe to the level that it significantly or permanently affects an individual’s daily life. In general, an injury is considered “catastrophic” if it permanently prevents an individual from performing any gainful work (42 U.S. Code § 3796b) or making a living wage. This type of injury typically leads to expensive medical costs and long-term loss of enjoyment of life.

Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury is an extremely serious, life-altering injury that will require extensive or lifelong medical treatments, cause a permanent disability, or significantly impact the victim’s ability to work.

Examples include:

• Multiple bone fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe burn injuries
• Significant or permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of limb
• Hearing or vision loss
• Internal organ damage or bleeding
• Permanent loss of an important bodily function

Many different types of accidents in California can send individuals to hospitals with catastrophic or fatal injuries. Common incidents are automobile accidents, serious falls, workplace accidents, dog attacks and physical abuse.

Catastrophic Injury Case Values (And Pursuing Fair Compensation)

Due to the level of harm and impact caused by a catastrophic injury, these personal injury claims are typically worth more than minor to moderate injury cases in California. Some life-changing injuries and disabilities will cost millions of dollars in prospective costs and lifelong care. 

It is important to understand the true value of your case, including future necessary care and costs, before accepting any settlements from insurance companies during the claims process. An insurance company may underestimate your losses, devalue your life-altering trauma, or fail to offer enough in pain and suffering damages based on the extent of your injuries.

Your catastrophic injury claim may be worth significantly more than an insurance company initially offers you. This is because insurance companies are for-profit organizations that want to save as much money as possible on payouts. The most effective way to ensure that you receive the settlement or judgment award you deserve is by hiring an attorney for representation.

How a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Can Help

A catastrophic injury can be overwhelming in more ways than one. Luckily, you don’t have to deal with the legal process on top of recovering from your injuries and rebuilding your life. You can hire a catastrophic injury attorney in Los Angeles to advocate for your rights and best interests while you focus on what matters most. An attorney will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine the cause of your catastrophic injury and identify the at-fault parties. Then, your attorney will take over the claims process and deal with insurance companies to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. For a free catastrophic injury case evaluation, start by contacting Rose, Klein & Marias LLP.