What is a Catastrophic Injury?

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

While all injuries impact the lives of the individuals suffering from them, some injuries are even more serious. These injuries are often referred to as “catastrophic.” Catastrophic injuries are those that cause major life changes.

For an injury to be considered catastrophic, it must result in at least one of the following issues:

  • A permanent and severe functional disability
  • A major effect on one of the body’s major systems
  • An incapacitation
  • Damage to the head, neck, and/or spinal cord
  • Inability to be able to perform necessary tasks for gainful employment
  • A terminal diagnosis
  • A short period of suffering before passing away

 

Catastrophic Injury Types

Catastrophic injuries, often caused by negligence, are those that commonly cause extreme harm over a prolonged period of time. Such injuries include:

  • Amputations
  • Burn injuries resulting in permanent disfigurement
  • Head/Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
  • Internal injuries
  • Loss of senses (e.g. hearing, sight, etc.)
  • Multiple bone fractures
  • Neurological disorders
  • Permanent nervous system injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries

 

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are those that tend to produce major harm over a long period of time and often result from motor vehicle accidents or incidents caused by negligence.

  • Birth injuries
  • Car accidents
  • Dangerous prescription drugs
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Truck accidents

 

Have You Experienced a Catastrophic Injury?

If you have experienced a catastrophic injury, after receiving medical help, the next step is to determine if it was caused by negligence. For an accident to be caused by negligence the following four elements must be present:

  1. The defendant had a duty of care;
  2. The defendant breached their duty;
  3. The breach of duty led to the accident; and
  4. The accident was the direct cause of your injury.

If your injury was caused by negligence, you may be entitled to benefits for the following:

  • Medical bills/expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages (past and future)
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages (Generally only for acts of gross negligence)

When you are already dealing with a catastrophic injury, the last thing that you want to deal with is trying to receive compensation from an insurance company. Negotiating with the other party’s insurance company can prove extremely difficult. This is why it’s in your best interest to leave that to the professionals: a qualified Kansas City catastrophic injury attorney.

 

Our Experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help 

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, at no fault of your own, you should not be responsible for the consequences of their actions. That’s why it is critical to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable Kansas City Lawyers. To learn more or to schedule a FREE consultation, call the Goss Law Firm at 816-527-8658 today