Personal injury law covers a wide range of cases where a person suffers harm because of someone else’s negligence. Catastrophic injuries fall under this umbrella but represent the more severe end of the spectrum.
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, you may be wondering how to get fair compensation for it. A great first step is understanding the differences between personal injuries and catastrophic injuries.
Catastrophic injuries are more severe and long-term
While all personal injuries can be significant, catastrophic injuries are often extreme and have a long-term—if not permanent—impact.
Common examples include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
Regular personal injuries may still have a huge impact, but not as extreme as catastrophic injuries. For example, if you suffer a typical broken bone, it may simply be a personal injury. However, a broken bone that never heals and causes disability may be considered catastrophic.
Catastrophic injury cases are often more complex
Both personal and catastrophic injury cases can be challenging, but the latter are often more legally complex.
For one, severe injuries can last a lifetime and need a lot of care. Therefore, you would need to present substantial medical evidence to show the extent of your injuries.
Moreover, these injuries usually involve much larger compensation amounts. One reason for this is the need for long-term care plans to address your future needs. However, most defendants will try their best to avoid paying out high compensation, which often makes an aggressive legal approach necessary.
Catastrophic injuries result in more damages
In these cases, the calculation of damages often includes:
- Long-term medical care
- Loss of earning capacity
- Significant pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
These damages can be present in personal injury cases, but they are more common when the injuries are severe enough to cause long-term harm.
The high stakes of catastrophic injury cases underline the importance of proper legal guidance. Consider working with an attorney who understands these kinds of injuries and can help you pursue fair compensation.