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What Is A Catastrophic Injury?

Some injuries, although painful and significant, are less severe than others. A catastrophic injury is one that has serious, long-term life-altering consequences. Usually, catastrophic injuries require surgical treatment. These are common after truck crashes, severe motor vehicle crashes, and in cases of traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and paralysis. Catastrophic injuries involve:

  • Permanent disability or loss of function
  • Inability to work full-time
  • The need for lifelong assistance, care or accommodations
  • The need for medications for life
  • The need for prosthetics or assistive devices (like walkers, canes, and wheelchairs)
  • Severe scarring or disfigurement
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Amputation
  • Loss of sight (acquired blindness)
  • Loss of hearing (acquired deafness)
  • Severe burn injuries
  • Paralysis

When attorneys at Konicek & Dillon represent clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries, we evaluate and document the overall impact on their lives. We do not consider only how the person is after the car crash, explosion or fall, but also how his or her life will be affected years into the future. Catastrophic injuries typically involve not only physical injuries and limitations, but also family life, work life and a person’s ability to enjoy life.

Some catastrophic injuries are more difficult to detect than others. A person who emerges from an accident paralyzed, blind or in a wheelchair is obviously disabled. A person with a head injury, however, may appear normal after a period of recovery but have lasting disabilities such as:

  • Personality change
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Memory loss
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Inability to handle financial affairs

Many people who have suffered brain injuries have been forced to quit working even after reaching “maximum recovery” and looking well to others. Testimony of friends and family, evaluations by neuropsychologists and other methods of gathering evidence may be necessary to build a strong case for people with invisible, life-altering injuries.

Similarly, people with obvious catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis, have debilitating side effects like skin breakdown, urinary tract infections (UTI) and neuropathic pain. These secondary ailments can be as life-altering as the more visible effects of a serious accident. All effects of an injury should be taken into account in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Contact The Geneva Nursing Home Abuse Victims’ Lawyers Of Konicek & Dillon, P.C.

If you or your loved one suffered a catastrophic injury in a car or truck accident or any type of accident, our skilled attorneys are ready to listen – and help. We invite you to contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn what Konicek & Dillon can do for you and your family. Call 630-313-2071 or in Chicago, call 312-239-0283 or contact us online.