What Is A Catastrophic Injury?

According to catastrophic injury statistics, thousands of people in the U.S. suffer a life-altering injury every day. But what is a catastrophic injury exactly, and what makes it different from other serious injuries?

A catastrophic injury is any type of injury or health condition that results in long-term or permanent disability, health consequences, disfigurement, or emotional damage. Fatal injuries are also considered catastrophic. 

Here’s what you need to know about these devastating injuries and how to pursue claims for them under Colorado law.

Schedule a free consultation with Bachus & Schanker today. 

Examples Of Catastrophic Injuries

When it comes to catastrophic injury and wrongful death case examples, some of the most common involve:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Dismemberment

However, any injury that impacts your ability to perform everyday activities or enjoy life for decades or more may be considered catastrophic, even if it doesn’t fall into one of these categories.

Impact Of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries have physical, mental, and financial consequences. Physically, these injuries can prevent you from performing daily activities due to pain or disability.

That physical impact can also lead to emotional and financial harm. For example, if you are severely burned, you may feel that your scars make it difficult or impossible to socialize. This lack of companionship can cause depression and anxiety.

Catastrophic injuries generally require significant medical care, often costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Depending on the amount of care you need, and how long you need it, medical bills can even spiral into the millions.

To make matters worse, these injuries often limit your ability to work. The financial impact of missing months or years of work can be devastating.

Long-Term Care And Rehabilitation

Catastrophic injuries often can’t be treated with a single operation or short-term treatment. Something like a lost limb typically requires several surgeries spread out over decades, as well as the constant upkeep of prosthetics. 

These injuries also usually require victims to relearn skills like walking or speaking. Rehabilitation may take months, years, or a lifetime.

Legal Implications Of A Catastrophic Injury

When you suffer a catastrophic injury in Colorado, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your losses and expenses if another party’s negligence caused the injury. You can get this compensation by filing an insurance claim against the liable party or by suing them.

The Value Of A Catastrophic Injury Claim

Determining the value of the compensation that you should receive after a catastrophic injury is a matter of law and legal precedent. In most cases, you are eligible to receive economic and non-economic compensation.

Economic compensation reimburses you for tangible expenses and losses relating to your injuries. The majority of economic damages are based on the cost of your medical treatment and the value of your lost wages. You may also get additional compensation for other related expenses.

Non-economic compensation reimburses you for the pain and suffering you endure because of your injuries. This is usually calculated as a multiple of your economic losses. Under Colorado law, there is a statutory cap on the amount of non-economic damages you can obtain.

What Steps Should You Take After A Catastrophic Injury?

Whether you receive an appropriate amount of compensation after a catastrophic injury often depends on what steps you take after you are hurt. Documenting a catastrophic injury, for instance, is critical to getting fair compensation.

This means that you need to keep a record of all medical documentation and bills related to your injury. If possible, keep both physical and digital records, and preserve them in a safe location. This information will be essential when pursuing an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Also, you should contact a Colorado catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as possible. Under Colorado law, you typically only have two years to file a lawsuit. You may have longer if you don’t immediately discover an injury, but even then, the timeframe is short. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more likely you are to get fair compensation.

Why Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Matter

The right catastrophic injury attorney can make all the difference when recovering from a devastating injury. In the book “Unthinkable,” Kyle Bachus explains how a life-changing accident upended the life of his family. He describes how the justice system failed him when he needed it most.

As an attorney, he has dedicated his career to ensuring that others don’t endure a similar fate. He believes that the justice system should defend victims of catastrophic injuries and fights to help his clients obtain the compensation they need to recover from these tragedies.

Finding A Path Forward After A Severe Injury In Colorado

A good lawyer isn’t the only resource you need after a catastrophic injury. Victim advocacy and assistance programs can also support your recovery. An experienced Colorado attorney can direct you to these resources and recommend the ones that are most likely to help given your circumstances.

With the right advocates in your corner, you can equip yourself to find a way forward in the aftermath of a catastrophic accident.

If you have suffered catastrophic injuries, contact Bachus & Schanker today for a free consultation.