What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Our Houston Personal Injury Attorneys Explain Types of Serious Injuries

Life can become more difficult after an injury. It may be difficult or impossible to return to your previous occupation. You may be unable to perform basic tasks that used to present no difficulty. For people with catastrophic injuries, life may be far more difficult for them personally and their family members.

Catastrophic injuries are permanently debilitating injuries that can prevent a person from obtaining gainful employment or being able to take care of themselves. Below, our Houston personal injury attorneys answer a common question: What is a catastrophic injury?

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

There are a number of common injuries that may qualify as a catastrophic injury. What matters is the severity of the injury and the effect it has on a person. Common catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries. Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries can affect movement, behavior and cognitive abilities. In some cases, these negative symptoms persist long after the initial injury occurs. Severe brain injuries can lead to a long-term loss of consciousness.
• Burn injuries. Burn injuries have varying levels of severity. In some cases, first and second degree burns can be a less serious type of burn injury. Third and fourth degree burns are far more serious, and much more likely to result in amputations, disfigurement, or loss of movement in one or more limbs.
• Spinal cord injuries. Incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries can affect a person’s ability to control his or her body. Injuries that occur higher on the spinal cord can result in a complete loss of movement.
• Amputations. Amputations, such as those that may occur following an oil rig fire, can leave a person disabled for life.
• Severe eye and ear injuries. Losing control of your ability to see or hear could be considered a catastrophic injury.
• Organ damage. In addition to a brain injury, damage to other organs could also result in a catastrophic injury.

What Are Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries can occur after suffering blunt force trauma, burns or exposure to harmful chemicals or blast forces. Causes of catastrophic injuries may include:

• Oil rig and refinery explosions
• Car, truck, pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle accidents
• Defective products
• Workplace accidents
• Drowning or oxygen deprivation
• Medical malpractice
• Acts of violence

Can I Get a Personal Injury Settlement for a Catastrophic Injury?

Whether you can successfully obtain a personal injury settlement or jury verdict depends on the circumstances. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, a personal injury attorney could answer specific questions you have about obtaining compensation.

A personal injury settlement or jury verdict for a catastrophic injury could help pay for expenses that include lost income, loss of future earnings, medical bills as well as home and vehicle modifications. Your noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, may also be taken into account.

The Houston personal injury attorneys at Stevenson & Murray can answer your questions about catastrophic injuries during a free consultation. To schedule a free consultation with us, dial (866) 806-8538 or use the case review form on our site.