WHAT IS A CATASTROPHIC INJURY?

A doctor looking at a spinal X-ray for a spinal cord injury diagnosis.

A catastrophic injury is an injury that results in the victim having permanent damage that they could endure for the rest of their life. Victims of catastrophic injuries typically experience limitations to their mobility or cognitive functions. These limitations can last months, years, or the remainder of the victim’s life. 

Catastrophic injuries place a difficult burden on everyone involved. It’s important to ensure you retain an experienced catastrophic injury attorney as soon as possible. We invite you to explore the book Unthinkable, by Kyle Bachus, to learn more about catastrophic injuries. 

TYPES OF CATASTROPHIC INJURIES

Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries include the following: 

PARALYZING SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can be one of the most traumatic and life-changing injuries a person can experience. If certain parts of the spinal cord are impacted, these injuries can lead to paralysis. 

AMPUTATION

Loss of limbs can cause a person’s life to change in an instant. Whether the limb was lost as a direct result of the accident or the amputation of the limb was medically necessary upon receiving medical treatment, this type of injury is especially catastrophic. 

LOSS OF SENSES

The loss of senses, such as hearing or sight, is a common type of catastrophic injury that changes the victim’s life completely, as they’ll need to learn to navigate through life either deaf or blind.  

INJURIES RESULTING IN DEFORMITY

Sometimes, catastrophic injuries can result in severe deformity of the victim. While the specific type of deformity may vary, this type of injury can still impact the victim’s life negatively in many ways. 

INTERNAL ORGAN INJURIES — INCLUDING BRAIN

Internal organ injuries can be especially catastrophic because they can be difficult to detect and, as a result, cause additional damage to the victim that may have otherwise been treatable. Internal organ damage can also be irreversible, making injuries to organs such as the brain particularly catastrophic and life-altering. 

SEVERE BURNS

Burn victims often suffer from irreparable damage to their bodies that results in a lifetime of pain, suffering, and an inability to independently care for themselves. 

ILLNESSES SUCH AS MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma and other cancers can cause a person to endure a lifetime of suffering and an untimely death. These types of unfortunate illnesses can result in extensive medical treatment and hospital stays, impacting both the victim and their loved ones. 

COMMON CAUSES OF CATASTROPHIC INJURIES

Even if an accident doesn’t appear to be catastrophic, the victim may likely suffer severe injuries. The majority of causes of catastrophic injuries stem from the opposing party’s negligent behavior. There are many common causes of catastrophic injuries: 

ACCIDENTS

Accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury cases. This umbrella term encompasses many different types of accidents, including:

  • Car accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Sports accidents

Regardless of the particular accident, it’s important to contact a catastrophic injury attorney to discuss your various legal options. 

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional’s negligence causes a patient’s injury. Catastrophic injuries can occur in medical settings during labor, surgery, or other procedures. A physician’s negligence during invasive procedures can result in life-altering injuries to the patient who had relied on their care. 

DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS

Product defects can sometimes cause a person to suffer catastrophic injuries. Defective products can include products with toxic ingredients or products that fail to perform as intended. If you were severely injured after properly using a product, you may have a viable personal injury claim.

FALLS

Slip-and-fall incidents are among the most common causes of catastrophic injuries. A person can become severely injured by falling and suffer irreparable harm that prevents them from returning to their daily lives.

IMPACT OF A CATASTROPHIC INJURY THROUGHOUT LIFE

Catastrophic injuries often require round-the-clock care and extensive medical treatments. They can also result in lost wages and earning potential due to the victim’s inability to return to their previous employment.  

In addition to the victim’s life changing, it’s common for the lives of those around them to change as a result of the catastrophic injury. Typically in a catastrophic injury accident, the victim’s loved ones take on the burden of handling their care, thus putting their lives on hold as a result of the incident. 

YOUR RIGHTS AFTER A CATASTROPHIC INJURY

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, you are eligible to seek compensation and justice for your damages. It’s important to speak with an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer to understand your rights and know how to properly proceed. 

NO-FAULT ACCIDENT CASES

When no-fault laws apply, each party in the accident relies on their own insurance to pay for damages. However, since Colorado is an at-fault state, the victim may sue the responsible party any time they get hurt or sustain property damage in a car accident, despite the severity of the injuries. 

COMPENSATION FOR CATASTROPHIC INJURIES

As a plaintiff in Colorado, you may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include: 

  • Past medical bills
  • Future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Medical equipment
  • Home modification or accommodation costs
  • Past wage loss
  • Future lost wages

Non-economic damages include: 

  • Pain
  • Suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Mental anguish
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Disfigurement

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO FILE A LAWSUIT

The statute of limitations is the period during which a person may bring a lawsuit. If the case is not brought within the statute of limitations, then they are unable to receive compensation or any legal reparations. The statute of limitations to bring a personal injury case in Colorado is two years from the date of the accident. 

HOW AN EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC INJURY ATTORNEY CAN HELP

A catastrophic injury lawyer is standing at his desk, reviewing a case with a client. On his desk is paperwork, a gavel, and the scales of justice.

The experienced catastrophic injury lawyers at Bachus & Schanker handle these difficult cases and take pride in advocating for each client. While these attorneys handle the stressful aspects of your lawsuit, you can rest easy knowing your case is in good hands and that you can focus on your recovery. 

Contact Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today.

SOURCES:

Medical Malpractice. (2023).

Mesothelioma – Symptoms and causes. (2022). 

Negligence Definition. (2023).

O’Neill, N. (2023). Civil Statute of Limitations.