May 6, 2022 | Catastrophic Injury, General

Accidents can happen at any time and can affect anyone. While accidents occur and are over in a split second, their impact is often felt for a long time after. This is especially the case when you suffer a catastrophic injury.

What is a catastrophic injury?

Injuries that occur as a result of an accident vary. They range from mild injuries such as bruises and scrapes to severe injuries that result in fatalities. Injuries are considered catastrophic when they occur suddenly and have long-term consequences. These injuries have life-changing effects on the victim. The legal definition for a catastrophic injury is ‘any injury with proximate or direct consequences that permanently prevent the victim from engaging in gainful work.’

Having a catastrophic injury means permanently losing a vital part of your person. This may be in the form of limbs, your ability to perform tasks such as walking or your thoughts. These injuries often result from physical harm to the spinal cord or brain or the severing of limbs. These injuries have a long term impact on the functional capabilities of the individual.

Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen, is rocked violently and rapidly, is penetrated by an object, is impacted with force or is subjected to a forceful rotational force. These injuries can be fatal. They can also affect the victim’s emotions, thinking, memory, cognition and sensations.

• Limb amputation

These injuries occur when the victim’s limb is severed during an accident or is severely damaged to the point that amputation is necessary. These injuries have a life changing impact on the life of the victim. They lose the ability to carry out tasks such as walking or even write.

• Spinal cord injuries

These injuries can occur when the spinal cord is impacted. The injuries may affect any part of the spinal cord and result in complete or partial paralysis, loss of sensation or severe pain.

• Burn injuries

These injuries can be catastrophic when they result in disability or mobility issues, disfigurement or severe long –term pain. Burn injuries can also be fatal in some instances.

The Impact of Catastrophic Injuries on Families

Catastrophic injuries are life-changing. They can sometimes even result in the loss of life of the victim. It is important to note that it isn’t only the victim that suffers as a result of the injuries. The victim’s family is also impacted by the catastrophic injuries in several ways.

• Increased physical burden

When a person suffers a catastrophic injury that has an impact on their physical abilities e.g. loss of mobility, their family will have an increased physical burden. They will have to work to meet the daily needs of the victim. For example, the caregiver may have to perform tasks such as bathing and dressing their loved one. This can be physically taxing on those members of the family that are caregivers. Many family members that step into the role of caregiving are put at risk of physical injury. The role can also be physically taxing leaving them too exhausted to perform other tasks.

• Emotional and psychological effects

Catastrophic injuries can have an emotional and psychological impact on family members. Family members experience grief for the suffering of their loved one. Those that step into the role of caregiving may suffer emotional and psychological stress due to the strain of caring for their loved one.

Family members may also suffer psychologically and emotionally due to the changes in the dynamics of the relationships and roles in the family. The spouse for example may suffer emotionally and psychologically from no longer having the support and care of a partner. They may also suffer strain from having to take on the role of being the sole bread-winner. Children may suffer from no longer having the guidance and support of their parents.

• Economic strain

The family of the victim will experience economic strain as a result of the catastrophic injuries. This may be a result of the high costs of extensive and long term treatment and care required following a catastrophic injury. The family may also suffer financial strain as a result of the victim losing their ability to engage in gainful activities. This is especially if the victim was the main breadwinner. It will result in the complete or partial loss of income for the family.

Easing the Burden of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries have long term consequences that affect both the victim and their family. While seeking financial compensation for the injuries will not reverse the injuries, it will help to ease the burdens resulting from the catastrophic injuries. An experienced and skilled personal injury attorney can help you recover just compensation for a catastrophic injury. Contact us to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?