There are many types of accident injuries that can result in a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the type of accident and the extent to which the victim was injured, they may be able to recover within days, weeks, or months after the accident. However, there are also injuries from which the victim is left with permanent injuries that have a significant impact on their ability to work and overall quality of life. These are referred to as catastrophic injuries.
A catastrophic injury can range from brain damage to paralysis. The injury is often so severe, the victim is left with permanent, life-altering disabilities that leave them to have the same quality of life they had before the accidents. In many cases, the victim often struggles with life-long medical complications caused by the catastrophic injury.
Catastrophic injuries also usually result in life-long medical expenses and long-term care costs. These injuries not only impact the victim but also their families. A family member may have to quit their job in order to take care of the victim because the injuries have left the victim needing round-the-clock assistance. Even if the family member does not take on the caretaking role, they will often need to hire someone to fulfill that role, at an extensive expense.
The following are three different categories of catastrophic injuries:
- Cognitive – Cognitive issues resulting from brain damage that restricts the victim’s ability to talk, read, write, work, and do other activities. These types of injuries are often the most expensive for victims and their families, not only financially, but emotionally as well.
- Physical – Physical catastrophic injuries include amputation, severe burns, fractures, and organ or tissue damage.
- Spinal cord – When the spinal cord has been injured in an accident, the victim is usually left with permanent mobility limitations.
There are many different types of accidents that can result in catastrophic injuries for victims. These include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Premise liability accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Sport accidents
When an accident causing a catastrophic injury is caused by the negligence of another party, North Carolina law says the victim can pursue damages from that party. Vehicle drivers have a duty of care to other people they share the road with to obey the rules of the road, property owners have a duty of care to keep their property safe and free of hazards, and so forth.
Let Us Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, contact a compassionate North Carolina personal injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have.
Victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries often face a life of pain and suffering from the injury, as well as the many medical complications that develop. Many victims are often left unable to go back to the type of work they did before the injury or, depending on the severity of the injury, they may be unable to work at all, losing their source of income.
Victims may also need to modify their homes in order to make living areas handicap accessible. This can include expensive modifications to bathrooms, kitchen counters, and stoves, widening doorways, and installing wheelchair ramps. Transportation can also be an issue and many victims require wheelchair-accessible vans.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we understand the devastating impact these types of injuries can have on victims and their families, both physically and financially. Our attorneys are experienced in calculating and negotiating damages for injuries that involve long-term or permanent disabilities and will work diligently to get you the financial compensation you deserve.
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