What Is “Catastrophic Personal Injury”

A Quick Definition Of Catastrophic Personal Injury

As an accident attorney, I often get asked what the difference is between personal injury and a catastrophic personal injury. It’s a good question because, if nothing else, it will help those who are wondering if their injury qualifies as catastrophic and what difference that might mean for them in a court of law.

Before we go any further, I don’t want to suggest in any way that if your personal injury doesn’t qualify as catastrophic, it doesn’t warrant rightful compensation. Instead, I would like to talk about the life-long effects possibly associated with especially severe injuries and why you need to hire a competitive, compassionate accident attorney to help you get the compensation you will need.

Please remember that I am talking about these injuries in general terms. Only in court (or through a settlement) will an estimation be applied to your unique injury. As an accident attorney, it’s important to make the distinction up front and, before a free consultation, it would irresponsible for me to do otherwise. A personal injury case can only be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.

What Qualifies As A Catastrophic Personal Injury

Briefly and generally, an injury which qualifies as catastrophic might qualify as such if:

• It requires specific medical treatment.
• Its effects are life-long, possibly shortens a person’s life and causes considerable suffering.
• Its effects are long-lasting but, with proper (usually very expensive) medical care, may allow the victim to improve.

Our attorneys will pay close attention to the details of your case. If the need arises, we will help you hire a medical consultant who understands the nature of your recovery, who fully understands your injuries and what your injury will entail. As licensed attorneys, it is our responsibility to do everything we can to represent you. We’re your voice and, as an accident attorney at a small, intimate law firm, we are obligated to give your case our full attention. And we do.

Some examples of potential catastrophic injuries:

• A closed head wound that severely affects mental or neurological processes in the long-term.
• Severe burns, especially to children, who will be forced to deal with their effects for the rest of their life, including multiple surgeries to encourage growth of new tissue.
• An accident which paralyzes the victim, causes coma or similarly devastating injury.
• Spinal cord injuries beyond the scope of modern medicine. 
• Brain injury that alters the personality.

These are just several examples. An experienced accident attorney will help you sort through the details of you or your family member’s injury and help decide whether the injury suffered is indeed catastrophic. Don’t risk misrepresentation. You’ll often hear that our attorneys are compassionate. That’s because we care about the victims of life-altering, sometimes catastrophic injuries. It affects us profoundly, just as it would anyone who sees the effects of often needless injuries. It’s our job to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Contact An Accident Attorney At Lowman Law Firm To Help Determine If You Have A Catastrophic Injury.