A personal injury can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. When a person sustains a catastrophic injury, the treatment they receive can come with high medical bills, which can be worsened by the individual not being able to work. It can be difficult to prove a catastrophic injury, but it is not impossible.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is any injury that leads to great physical, emotional, and financial consequences to the victim. This kind of injury may lead to permanent disabilities and impairments that require life-long treatments. An injury is considered catastrophic when it results in:
- A permanent disability
- The inability to perform work tasks
- Incapacitation
- A short period of suffering that leads to death or a terminal condition
- Damage to the head, neck, or spinal cord
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are severe and life-altering. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Amputations
- Internal injuries
- Neurological disorders
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent injuries to the central nervous system
What Causes a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries can be caused by a variety of different accidents, including:
- Work-related accidents usually involve falling objects or an employee being crushed by a large or heavy item.
- Slip and falls accidents can happen due to unsecure railing, slippery floors, uneven or cracked floors, and even broken staircases. A property owner can be taken to court if they fail to ensure public safety in a reasonable manner. Negligence occurs when property owners fail to post warnings signs or remove hazards, like excessive snow and ice.
- Car accidents can happen due to driver negligence and distracted driving. As a result, they can lead to injuries of the head, neck, and spine. In some cases, amputations can occur.
- Medical malpractice injuries can include leaving a medical device inside a patient, operating on the wrong patient, or failing to operate on the right body part.
How to Prove a Catastrophic Injury
In order to prove a catastrophic injury, the victim must be able to show that a person’s negligence caused their injury. Proving this involves showing that the accused person owed you a duty of care and breached that duty of care, which resulted in a catastrophic injury. You will also need to show medical records that support the claim that your injury was severe and changed your quality of life.
Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyers Represent Individuals Who Have Sustained a Personal Injury
If you have sustained a personal injury, whether it is mild or severe, you may be eligible for compensation. Our experienced Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. At East Coast Trial Lawyers, we proudly represent victims who have suffered injuries from several types of accidents. Contact us online or call us at 757-352-2237 for a free consultation regarding your case. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, we also serve clients in Chesapeake, Eastern Shores, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia, throughout North Carolina, and nationwide
