What makes an injury “catastrophic” in Macon, GA?
While any type of serious injury can certainly create catastrophic consequences to your life as well as your family, there are certain injuries that are legally classified as “catastrophic” injuries.
Simply put:
Catastrophic injuries are any type of severe injury involving the spine, spinal cord, brain or skull. Other types of injuries include burns, birth injuries and any type of fatality involving the lungs and heart.
A catastrophic injury might also involve the partial or complete loss of a limb, loss of hearing or vision or the loss of any of the other senses. Catastrophic injuries frequently result in the loss of enjoyment of life, permanent impairment or even the inability of the individual to work.
As one might imagine, a catastrophic injury is often life-altering.
The cost of treatment is often more than most people are able to handle financially. Furthermore, such injuries can involve significant recovery time. In many instances, even following treatment and recovery, the injured party may never be able to recover completely. This could leave them or their family facing a lifetime of continued medical costs and reduced wages.
Due to the serious nature of these injuries, victims and their families often seek larger monetary compensation. Consequently, victims, as well as defendants involved in catastrophic injury lawsuits, often seek assistance from local personal injury attorneys who are experienced in handling such complex cases.
How do catastrophic injuries differ from other personal injuries?
Catastrophic injuries differ from other types of injuries in regard to the severity of the injury. Specific types of injuries that are often classified as catastrophic in nature include:
- Skull fractures
- Bruised or severed spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Displaced, fractured or herniated disks
- Mild brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Severe burns requiring skin grafts
- Quadriplegia or paraplegia
- Partial or total paralysis
- Permanent nerve injury or damage
- Amputation of a limb
- Loss of hearing, eyesight or another sense
While the proof of liability in a catastrophic injury case is no different than in any other type of injury case, it can be quite complex and expensive to analyze and prove such damages. It’s not uncommon to utilize the assistance of a financial expert to calculate the financial effects of such an injury, including potentially lost earnings.
In many cases, it may also be necessary to obtain assistance from a life-care planner to determine the expected costs to care for someone suffering from a permanent disability.
Most common causes of catastrophic injuries
Catastrophic injuries can occur due to a variety of different reasons. Some of the more common ways catastrophic injuries may occur include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Participation in sports
- Pedestrian accidents
- Use of defective products
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
Catastrophic injuries in the workplace are intended to be prevented by the regulations put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When an injury occurs, it is often due to negligent care and failure to comply with OSHA regulations and standards.
While auto accidents are not uncommon, if you or a loved one have sustained a catastrophic injury as a result of an auto accident, it’s important to consult with an experienced attorney to ensure you receive due compensation. An experienced lawyer can assist you in proving the other driver’s negligence.
In some cases, catastrophic injuries may occur at the time of birth. Under the law, patients are owed a certain standard of care. The failure of a medical professional to meet that standard of care may equate to medical malpractice.
Typically, a catastrophic injury occurs as a result of a direct bodily impact. This type of injury may also occur when the body fails to respond properly to overexertion. For instance, this might occur when a child dies following a heat stroke while participating in a sporting event or practice.
Can a catastrophic injury lawsuit provide compensation?
In the event that you or a family member were injured due to the negligence of another party, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the company or individual responsible. If the accident involved a fatality, the deceased’s family members may also be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. The successful outcome of your case will be based on a variety of factors.
Among the most important factors is the ability to prove negligence, which is the failure to provide reasonable care. While it can be difficult to prove negligence, an experienced attorney can assist you in this matter by collecting relevant evidence, interviewing witnesses, reconstructing the accidents, reviewing police reports and more.
Dealing with catastrophic injury law cases in Macon, GA can be complex. As such, handling this type of case requires an attorney who is knowledgeable regarding catastrophic litigation. If you or someone close to you has experienced a catastrophic injury, it’s important to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive the maximum compensation you are due.
Do not delay in consulting with an experienced catastrophic injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can assist you in collecting relevant evidence and making arrangements to interview crucial witnesses.
