If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury then you know that these are serious injuries that will change a person’s life forever. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we want to help. Read on to learn more about what qualifies as a catastrophic injury and what you can do if you experience one. Then reach out to us at 909-982-0707 to make an appointment for a free legal consultation.
There are many types of catastrophic injury
The term catastrophic injury doesn’t refer to one particular type of injury. Instead, it occurs to an injury that happens suddenly and with no warning and that leaves the person who experienced in injuries that are both permanent and devastating. The injuries can affect the brain and / or body. They can affect the central nervous system. Some of the most common examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Burn injuries
- Paralysis
- Birth injuries
- Back injuries
- Congenital disorders
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neurological disorders
Note that these are just some examples. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury that’s not listed, then you should call us right away for your consultation.
The causes of catastrophic injuries
There are many situations that can lead to catastrophic injuries. They include any type of vehicle accident, whether in a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle. Train and boating accidents can lead to serious injuries. Accidents at construction sites, drownings, and accident in swimming pools are other examples. We’ve worked with clients who had catastrophic injuries as a result of flipping and falling, a defective product, or being electrocuted.
There are three main categories of long-term effects of a catastrophic injury
In order to be classified as a catastrophic injury, they must be permanent and must significantly impact a person’s quality of life. They generally fall into one or more of three categories. First is physical impairment. This includes any type of physical damage such as weakness, difficulty balancing, amputated limbs, paralysis, or difficult walking.
The second category is mental impairment. This includes things like having a hard time thinking clearly, having slow thoughts, not being able to remember new information, impairment of sensory skills, losing memory, changes to a person’s personality. The third category is sensory impairment. It refers to things like general confusion, loss of hearing or vision, feeling numb, or losing the ability to speak.
Victims are likely to suffer emotionally too
Of course, while many people focus solely on the physical aspects of an injury, the reality is that the emotional side effects can be just as difficult – if not more difficult – to get over. They can include feeling trapped in a body that doesn’t work and feeling dependent on others to survive. People dealing with these situations can have constantly changing emotions that include irritability, sadness, rage, withdrawal from people they love, depression, and frustration.
Have you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury? If so, then you need a qualified attorney who can help you get the compensation needed for long-term care. Reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 today for more information on how to get started.
