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How Is Catastrophic Injury Defined In California Personal Injury Law?

  • Jun 10, 2022
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 17, 2022

Understanding Catastrophic Injury Claims In California And How It Affects You

According to Title 34 of the United States Code, a catastrophic injury is one that permanently precludes the person from performing any gainful activity.


We can sometimes broaden this concept to include other parts of our life. For example, we may be able to claim that your damage was catastrophic if you were an avid mountaineer before your injury and are unable to hike afterward.


Because of the severity of the damages, we treat catastrophic injuries differently in civil litigation. You will be unable to work if you suffer a devastating accident, and you will almost certainly require lifetime help and medical care.


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The Treatments Required In Catastrophic Injuries


While patients with catastrophic injuries can make significant progress, most never fully recover. The medical costs connected with such an injury usually necessitate a wide range of medical treatment and care, which might include everything from:

  • At the scene of the collision, immediate treatment, and emergency transportation

  • Transportation to the hospital

  • Surgeries

  • Hospitalizations

  • Doctors, experts, and therapist

  • Physical therapy

  • Rehabilitation

  • Health care at home

  • Physical adaptations, housing adaptations, and/or vehicle adaptations are all examples of adaptive devices.

Specialized treatment for your injury (care at a burn center, for example)

Your catastrophic injury may necessitate lifelong care, and these injuries frequently result in serious health issues. In other words, it's difficult to estimate how much a catastrophic injury may cost in terms of medical bills.


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What Can You Get For Catastrophic Injury Claims In California?

Personal injury claims aim to compensate victims who have suffered financial and emotional losses from an accident caused by negligent parties.


Here are a few that you can get from filing these claims in California:

  • Wage or income that you lost due to the accident

  • Earning potential loss due to injuries

  • Medical costs, doctor's fees, medications, etc.

  • The price of rehabilitative services

  • Assistive technology and personal care

  • Pain and suffering

  • Changes in quality of life

You'll require a team of specialists and caregivers to achieve maximum independence and well-being. Hiring these people is expensive, so the money you save might make all the difference.


Consult a California personal injury lawyer if you've sustained catastrophic injuries due to someone's (or a group's) negligence.

Accidents That Lead To Catastrophic Injuries In California

Unfortunately, our California attorneys for personal injury claims have seen a lot of catastrophic injury cases. Injuries can drastically alter your life in a couple of seconds. They can cause an unimaginable burden to the victims and their families.


Here are a few accidents that could lead to devastating injuries:

That said, catastrophic injuries can occur in any type of accident. For example, slipping and falling, even if you didn't fall from a height, could be enough to cause spinal cord damage and TBIs. In other words, catastrophic injuries in California will be based on the severity of the injuries and how they affect your everyday life.


If you've suffered from severe injuries, contact a California personal injury lawyer ASAP. They'll be able to do the investigations, negotiations, and paperwork in your stead while you focus on your recovery.


california catastrophic injury claim


Our prescreened Top Rated Personal Injury Attorneys In Los Angeles have helped plaintiffs get the payouts and representation they deserve.


We ensure you're matched up with a California personal injury lawyer with the right expertise, experience, and reputation. For a free initial consultation, you may contact us via our 24/7 live chat (or our case submission form).

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