7 Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

Surviving an incident with catastrophic injuries often involves extensive rehabilitation and life-altering consequences.  If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a catastrophic injury is one that involves a sudden and large-scale change and usually has long-term effects on the life of the victim. It can be the result of an accident, a faulty product, or poor care. There are many different types of catastrophic injuries; here are seven of the most common: 

1. Traumatic Brain Injuries:

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an outside force, usually a violent blow to the head, often as a result of a car accident, severe sports injury, or even a fall.  A catastrophic injury like a TBI disrupts normal brain function, and the results vary widely because everyone – and every brain – is different.

Some of the symptoms associated with TBIs include amnesia, inability to speak or understand language, aggression, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.  These cognitive, behavioral, and physical changes may be permanent.  TBIs require emergency medical care and diagnosis.

2. Birth Injuries:

Childbirth can be incredibly dangerous, and when a catastrophic injury occurs, it must be handled carefully. A birth injury is one type of catastrophic injury that occurs as a result of physical pressure during the birth process, usually during transit through the birth canal.  Children who are the victims of birth injuries may experience cerebral palsy, brain damage, spinal cord damage, or death.

3. Spinal Cord Injuries:

The spinal cord is a column of nerves that connects your brain with the rest of your body, allowing you to control your movements.  A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in the loss of strength, sensation, and/or function.

SCI can cause paralysis; bladder, bowel, circulatory and respiratory dysfunction; chronic pain, depression, and many other serious complications. Because the spinal cord is designed to carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body, these injuries can be devastating.

4. Burns:

Burns affecting 10% of a child’s body and those affecting 15%-20% of an adult’s body are considered major injuries and require hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation.  Burn victims may be left with the loss of certain physical abilities, disfigurement, loss of a limb, loss of mobility, scarring, and infection.

5. Loss of Limbs:

Losing any part of the body is devastating. Whether a limb is lost in an accident or amputation is required as a result of the accident, the impact goes far beyond the physical.  Mental and emotional damage almost always accompanies the loss of a limb.  Extensive physical and occupational therapy, and mental health counseling, are required following this type of catastrophic injury.  

6. Abdominal Trauma:

Blunt abdominal trauma is frequently the result of an auto accident and can result in damage to the spleen, liver, small bowel, kidneys, bladder, and/or other internal organs.  Abdominal trauma can cause organ failure and/or internal bleeding, which can be fatal.

The recovery time from injuries like these can be extensive, and there are often permanent consequences like changed dietary habits, the need for medication throughout life, and physical limitations.

7. Chronic Illnesses:

A traumatic injury can lead to problems that aren’t directly connected to the injury itself but clearly result from it. Chronic illnesses are one example. Studies have shown that suffering from a traumatic injury often leads to anxiety and/or depression, and may also lead to autoimmune disorders like fibromyalgia and even thyroid problems.

In fact, one study found that a serious shoulder injury caused by a motor vehicle accident led to thyroid problems at a later date, causing a long-term chronic illness. 

Injuries like these are not only serious from a medical point of view, but they’re financially and emotionally costly too. Any one of these injuries may require ongoing medical attention and can result in the inability to work. These injuries can cause difficulty caring for yourself on a daily basis and/or mental health issues.  The financial and emotional burden can be devastating.

Victims of catastrophic personal injuries deserve real compensation for the physical, mental, and emotional trauma they have suffered. Insurance companies are notorious for making low-ball offers to settle a case quickly.

To maximize your recovery, you’ll need the help of a skilled, experienced personal injury attorney who will work with experts to determine the cost of future care and quantify your total damages

If you’ve been injured and need the help of a West Palm Beach, Florida injury lawyer, please contact Casas Law today at 561-655-8444. We work with catastrophic injury cases on a regular basis, and our experience can help you win the settlement you deserve.