How "Catastrophic Injury" Is Defined By California Personal Injury Law
What is the definition of a catastrophic injury? There are numerous definitions available. According to the American Medical Association, a catastrophic injury entails damage to the spinal cord, spine, skull, or brain.
That said, let's go into more detail and a few examples:
An accident can be classified as catastrophic if it causes:
Trauma to the head or neck that is severe
Permanent physical or mental incapacity as a result of the damage
Death
Catastrophic injuries can leave victims with long-term consequences that profoundly influence their lives and the lives of people around them.
If a person suffers long-term consequences, such as being unable to walk or suffering brain damage, the victim and their family may face significant financial and emotional hardship.
That said, if you've been in a catastrophic accident, it's important that you get the compensation you deserve. Contact a prescreened California Attorney For Personal Injury to help you in these difficult times.
Most Common Examples Of Catastrophic Injuries In California
The term "catastrophic injury" refers to a wide range of injuries. Some may cause severe short-term discomfort, while others may have long-term consequences that range from impairments to physical and emotional injury.
If you don't know if your injuries qualify as "catastrophic," consult a prescreened California Attorney For Personal Injury to help you.
For reference, here are some examples of catastrophic injuries:
1. Burns
Severe burns can cause excruciating pain, nerve damage, and disfigurement.
2. Broken Bones
Recovery can be slow and challenging when a person has several bone fractures in a single incident. In addition, long-term consequences, such as a loss of strength and mobility, are possible.
3. Amputations
Amputation of a limb or appendage, such as an arm or leg, can drastically alter one's life. In addition, an amputation will take a long time to recover from and adapt to, causing long-term problems.
4. Injuries To The Spinal Cord
Spinal cord trauma can disrupt the transmission of signals from the brain to the rest of the victim's body, resulting in partial or total paralysis.
5. Traumatic Brain Injuries
Severe brain damage can have long-term implications. It has the potential to create both mental and physical impairments.
6. Electrocution
When an electric current flows through a person's body, electrocution occurs. The possible outcomes are major burns, internal damage, heart difficulties, and even death.
7. Nerve Damage
When a victim's nerves are severely damaged, it might affect their ability to feel, move, and perform critical biological processes.
8. Eye Injuries
The delicate nature of the eyes cannot be overstated. Eye trauma can result in a temporary or permanent loss of vision.
9. Neck Injuries
Neck tears, fractures, and joint injury can result in pain, movement loss, and paralysis.
These are just a few of the several forms of major injuries that can qualify as catastrophic injuries. Other significant diseases, such as complicated regional pain syndrome, can fall into slightly different categories within the catastrophic injury umbrella than those described above.
To know more, consult with your California Attorney For Personal Injury. They'll be able to determine your injuries and grounds for a Personal Injury Claim in California.
Who Is Liable in the Event of a Catastrophic Accident?
You can only file a lawsuit for an injury caused by someone else's negligence. That suggests the accident was caused, at least in part, by someone's negligent or reckless acts or inactions.
After getting wounded in an accident, one of the first things you should figure out is who is to blame. Unfortunately, this isn't always simple. Multiple people could be to blame, or the circumstances of the disaster could make it difficult to determine whether negligence was a factor.
1000Attorneys.com is a California Bar Association Certified Lawyer Referral Service that can refer you to a prescreened attorney that's fit to handle your unique case.
You may contact us via our 24/7 live chat (or fulfill our case submission form) for a free initial consultation.
