Any injury, especially that caused by another person, is harmful to the victim and has the potential to disrupt their life temporarily. Catastrophic injuries, however, have the potential to change your life permanently. Catastrophic physical injuries are serious and can lead to severe emotional distress or mental illness, like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If an injury is catastrophic and if a person suffers such an injury due to the fault of another person or entity in California, maximum compensation should be the goal of any personal injury lawsuit.
At Injury Attorneys by Amin Law, our catastrophic injury attorney in Beverly Hills aims to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. We do not settle unless our clients receive the total allowed by law. Contact us at 415-851-4300 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you and your loved ones.
Understanding Catastrophic Injuries in California
In most states, catastrophic injuries are defined as severe injuries that have a life-changing impact on the person who experiences them. These are injuries that typically never fully heal or can never be fully repaired. They are also injuries that require significant, short-term medical treatment and consistent, long-term rehabilitative care.
People suffering from catastrophic injuries may not be able to return to gainful employment for an extended period, if ever. Victims of catastrophic injuries may never lead the life they enjoyed prior to the injury, and that is why these injuries deserve special consideration.
The most common types of catastrophic injuries involve the spinal cord, brain injuries, burns, or loss of limbs.
Burn Injuries
Limb Loss
The loss of a limb is devastating and irreparably alters that person’s quality of life. A severely injured limb must often be amputated to prevent serious and potentially fatal infections. Amputations, however, have their own complications, like “phantom limb” pain or an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attack, and other infections. Additional surgery or treatment may be required to minimize pain or repair issues that develop post-amputation.
Severity of Damage
Catastrophic injuries cause damage much more severe than a regular injury. Victims’ lives are significantly and often permanently altered. Once fully independent, many victims may require assistance with daily living activities. It is not unusual for people with catastrophic injuries to live in a medical treatment facility or have a full-time medical caregiver.
Recovery Time
Recovery time for normal, regular injuries is much less than the time needed to recover from catastrophic injuries. While it varies with catastrophic injuries, recovery time can range between months to years. In many cases, full recovery is not possible. The severity of the injury is life-altering. The recovery time is potentially life-long. The trauma is sustained and enduring.
Catastrophic v. Non-Catastrophic Injuries: An Example
Take a severe TBI versus a mild TBI as an example. A severe TBI can require weeks or months in the hospital, including surgeries. In addition, the victim may have to continue with a treatment plan for years to come without fully recovering or suffering from disabilities as a result of the brain injury.
Compare severe TBI to a mild case where the victim is left unconscious for less than 30 minutes and may only need a thorough check from a doctor before going home. With plenty of rest, a full recovery may occur within a week or two. Here, the severity is not life-altering. The impact of the injury is short-lived, and the individual is able to make a full recovery and return to normal life activities.
In this example, it is clear why classifying an injury as catastrophic is important because it can make a real difference when determining just and fair compensation.
Personal Injury Attorneys Who Fight For Maximum Compensation
We research the facts of every case, individualizing our legal strategy to pursue the maximum amount of compensation for your losses.
Transportation-related accidents such as:
- Auto accidents
- Pedestrian/car collisions
- Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing accidents
- Bicycle, scooter and motorcycle crashes
- Taxi/bus/MUNI wrecks
- Semi truck collisions