Not all injuries are the same. While some are relatively minor and heal quickly, others are far more severe. A catastrophic injury is hard to define, as it may vary based on the nature of the injury and which body part is afflicted. However, it is generally agreed that a catastrophic injury is extremely serious and may come with long-term or lifelong complications.
To determine if your injury may be deemed “catastrophic,” we should consider several key factors. First, we must consider the severity of the injury and any medical complications. Next, we should consider your degree of pain and suffering, which may be great. Finally, we should examine how the injuries affect your day-to-day life. Examples of catastrophic injuries may include burns, spinal cord injuries, and amputations, among many others. If you find yourself dealing with a catastrophic injury, be sure to maintain thorough records of the injuries and call a lawyer right away.
Receive a private case evaluation for free from our South Carolina personal injury attorneys by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
How Catastrophic Injuries Are Defined
It is somewhat difficult to pin down an exact definition of a catastrophic injury. This is not a formal legal term, although it often comes up in cases involving serious physical injuries. In general, a catastrophic injury is so severe that it may be considered extreme, and victims may live with lifelong complications.
To determine if your injuries are catastrophic, we should think about the severity of the injuries. Catastrophic injuries are often physically traumatic and difficult to recover from. You may spend months or years recuperating, and you might never fully heal.
Our South Carolina personal injury attorneys should also account for your degree of physical pain and mental trauma. Catastrophic injuries are often very painful, and the pain may last for a long time. People who experience these injuries may be mentally and emotionally traumatized, and mental conditions like depression or PTSD are common.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries in South Carolina
If you are still unsure of whether your injuries should be considered catastrophic, you should review other injuries that are generally regarded as being catastrophic.
Some of the most catastrophic injuries are severe burns. Burns are not only indescribably painful, but they also often leave large permanent scars. Some people are so badly burned that they are severely disfigured. Not only is this physically painful, but it is also psychologically traumatizing.
Spinal cord injuries are also commonly considered catastrophic. These injuries often cause permanent paralysis and may lead to serious mobility problems. You might be unable to walk. People with spinal injuries closer to the neck may be paralyzed from the neck or chest down and be almost totally unable to move.
You might instead experience an amputation. These kinds of injuries can be very difficult to deal with, as victims must re-learn how to do things without a part of their body.
How to Get Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries in South Carolina
Compensation for a catastrophic injury can be substantial, but obtaining it may be more challenging than many realize.
Insurance claims may be possible, but it often does not cover damages for pain and suffering, depending on the type of coverage available. You might rely on your own insurance or file a claim with the insurance of the person who caused your injuries.
A lawsuit may help you get much more financial compensation, especially for pain and suffering. Not only can you claim the full extent of your economic costs, but you can also claim non-economic damages for pain and suffering. In some cases, a lawsuit might also net you punitive damages, depending on the circumstances.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries Worth in a Lawsuit?
As previously discussed, catastrophic injuries may be worth substantial financial compensation in a lawsuit or insurance claim. It is imperative that you talk to a lawyer about your injuries so they can help you determine exactly what your claims are worth.
We must first account for your immediate costs and needs. You likely have huge hospital bills that must be paid. You might have lost income from being unable to work. The accident may have also caused property damage. A lawsuit or settlement should adequately cover your costs.
Next, we must consider the long-term implications of your catastrophic injuries. You will likely need medical care for a long time, possibly past the completion of your case. Your damages should include an estimate of future medical care and other costs.
Unfortunately, many who live with catastrophic injuries find their overall lifespan shortened. If this is your situation, your damages may be extremely valuable. There is no way to put a price on the years you might have lost, but your attorney should fight for as much compensation as possible.
How Catastrophic Injuries May Happen in South Carolina
While a catastrophic injury might occur in any number of ways, certain kinds of accidents are more common. If you experienced such an accident or a similar one, you should contact a lawyer for legal help immediately.
Car accidents are perhaps some of the most common accidents in personal injury claims. While some people only experience mild to moderate injuries, others are catastrophically injured. Spinal cord injuries, severed limbs, burns, and deep lacerations are all possible in serious auto accidents.
Other severe injuries come from medical negligence. When seeing a doctor for any sort of treatment, patients are very vulnerable. If treatment goes wrong because of your doctor’s negligence, you might be left with life-altering, catastrophic injuries.
What to Do if You Are Catastrophically Injured
If you or someone you know is catastrophically injured, call 911 immediately. Focus on getting emergency medical help above all else. Catastrophic injuries may be fatal if not treated quickly.
Contact the police if they have not yet been notified of your accident and injuries. Depending on the situation, the person responsible may be criminally investigated or even charged with a crime. When injuries are extremely serious, the police tend to investigate more thoroughly, and they may uncover evidence we can use to sue for damages.
Call a lawyer as soon as you can. If you cannot call yourself, get a family member or friend to call a lawyer for you. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner they can begin building your case, and the sooner you may get fair compensation.
Call Our South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help Now
Receive a private case evaluation for free from our Lexington, SC personal injury attorneys by calling Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
