Many terminologies used in statutes and regulations are confusing to people not trained in the law. But every once in a while, you get terminology that means exactly what you think it means. The term “catastrophic injury” is one of those terms.

A catastrophic injury is pretty much what it sounds like. In simple terms, it is an injury so severe that it causes debilitating symptoms and prevents you from doing substantial work for the rest of your life. It also likely interferes with just about all other activities in your life in some way.

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

The law does not define specific injuries that qualify in this category of injury. Instead, the term refers to a serious injury that has a devastating impact on your life. 

Some injuries that can be classified as catastrophic are:

  • Brain damage
  • Partial or full paralysis
  • Amputation
  • Shattered bones
  • Eye damage resulting in a loss of vision
  • Heart or lung damage
  • Severe burns that cause disfigurement

In short, if your injuries are so severe that no rehabilitation or treatment will ever allow you to recover fully, you have likely suffered a catastrophic injury. These injuries generally negatively affect your quality of life and create long-lasting effects on various aspects of your daily life.

What Can You Do About a Catastrophic Injury?

If your catastrophic injury was the fault of another party, you may be eligible to recover compensation as part of a personal injury claim or lawsuit. The responsible party can be held liable for all medical expenses you incurred due to the injury and the difficulty you will face for the remainder of your life.

Most catastrophic injuries are either the result of car accidents or workplace accidents. In these situations, your compensation will most likely come from an insurance company when another party is at fault. 

Most insurance companies will fight your claim every step of the way to minimize the amount they have to pay. 

Before speaking with an insurance adjuster or accepting any offer from an insurance company, you should talk to a catastrophic injury lawyer. An experienced lawyer can advise you on whether the settlement offer is fair or whether you should take the insurance company to court.

An attorney will also help you with every step of your claim or lawsuit to ensure that you are recovering the full and fair value of your damages. For example, an attorney may consult a financial expert to accurately value your non-economic and future damages, which can be difficult to assess. You don’t want to accept any settlement offer before determining the value of your damages. 

How Do You Recover from a Catastrophic Injury?

Unfortunately, you will never fully recover from a catastrophic injury. Whether you lost a sense, lost a limb, or suffered brain damage, some portion of your mind or body is typically permanently impacted.

While full recovery is usually impossible, you can take steps to reduce the pain and impact of a catastrophic injury. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mental therapy can all help you improve your situation. It takes time to relearn to walk or speak, but with concerted effort, you may be able to regain some of what you lost.

Most people with catastrophic injuries also require in-home assistance. In the worst case, you may need a full-time nurse to help you with everyday activities. In other cases, you may simply need someone to do errands for you, like cleaning or shopping. You can use the money from a personal injury settlement to pay for these necessary services.

For more information, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and it’s surrounding areas:

Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722-3500 

Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863-6500

Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361-0350

Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437-9122

Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226-9089

We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.