Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries differ from standard injuries in several ways but are typically marked by much longer recovery times, long-term and even permanent life changes, and more expensive damages including extensive medical bills, lost wages, and more. Catastrophic injuries can occur in a myriad of ways and often occur to a particularly vulnerable or important part of the body, such as the brain or spinal cord. However, catastrophic injuries can occur anywhere and are generally set apart in severity.

Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and even commercial vehicle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. In fact, car accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) according to the Mayo Clinic and are responsible for a large number of brain and other severe injuries every year.
• Falls: Catastrophic falls can occur from any height, and may result in injuries to the brain, spine, limbs, and more. Falls are particularly known for causing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and SCIs; even falls from a low height can be catastrophic depending on what part of the body strikes what kind of surface. Similarly, falling objects such as those present on a construction site can also cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries.
• Violence: Violence including gunshots, stabbing, and more may all result in catastrophic injuries depending on the severity of the wound and what part of the body was injured. Not only can the physical damage of a violent injury last for years or even remain permanent, but the emotional and mental scarring from such a traumatic and often personal event can be equally debilitating without treatment.
• Sports and recreation: High impact sports like football and rugby are well known for causing severe injury, particularly repeat concussions, which can develop into a TBI. However, even unexpected sports like diving and swimming can result in severe and lasting injuries.
• Combat: In combat situations such as those experienced by military personnel, catastrophic injuries are unfortunately common. From TBIs and SCIs to amputation and burn injuries, a myriad of catastrophic injuries may occur to someone in a combat scenario and can result in permanent disabilities and life changes.

It’s important to talk to an attorney who has experience handling cases like yours.

Whenever someone suffers a catastrophic injury as the result of another party’s negligence or intentional actions, it’s important to reach out to a personal injury attorney in that particular field. For example, if your injuries were sustained in a car accident, look for a qualified and experienced car accident attorney. If the injury occurred during a fall at work, a good workplace injury attorney will be familiar with both the cause of the injury, potential damages, as well as your options for recovery. The good news is that most personal injury attorneys who handle these cases offer free consultations to those who have been injured; these attorneys also typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means clients don’t pay unless and until their case is won.

To learn more about common causes of catastrophic injuries, or for help filing a claim, reach out to a personal injury attorney in your area.