What is a Catastrophic Injury?

• July 10, 2019
• Personal Injury, Injuries

Although there is no universal legal definition for a catastrophic injury, most agree that it is an extremely severe physical injury or illness that affects your quality of life on a long-term or permanent basis, affecting you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives. Oftentimes, these types of injuries result in a person being unable to resume the lifestyle he or she led prior to the injury.

With catastrophic injuries, you:

• May not be able to contribute to the household income
• May not be able to help with household chores, do normal daily tasks, offer companionship to one’s spouse, and other tasks
• May need lifelong medical care and assistance

What is a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries are those that are so serious they often leave you, the victim, permanently damaged, where your injuries are serious enough to be long-term, debilitating or may have caused a deformity. Catastrophic injuries can permanently prevent a person from doing any type of work to support his or her family.

A catastrophic injury often has a greater impact on one’s life than other types of injuries. For instance, when one suffers brain damage or an injury to the spinal cord, it may be considered catastrophic because it can have life-altering effects.

Common types of catastrophic injuries

• Brain injuries and/or brain damage
• Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis
• Neck and back
• Amputations and/or loss of limbs and dismemberment
• Paralysis/quadriplegia
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns
• Disfigurement
• Neurological injuries

Types of accidents that may cause a catastrophic injury

• Motor vehicle and/or motorcycle or large truck accidents
• Boating accidents
• Industrial and construction accidents
• Oil and gas field accidents
• Swimming pool accidents
• Defective medical devices
• Defective consumer products
• Sports accidents
• Military accidents

Complications of a catastrophic injury can include:

• Loss of movement and sensation
• Inability to communicate
• Respiration and circulation problems
• Gastrointestinal repercussions
• Reduced cognitive abilities
• Emotional disorders
• Permanent nerve damage
• Permanent scarring
• Blindness or hearing loss

Need additional information?

• Can I Get Compensation for a Severe or Catastrophic Injury? from AllLaw
• National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Blog articles about Injuries

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

RECEIVE A FREE EVALUATION FROM EXPERIENCED PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Taking care of someone who has suffered a catastrophic injury impacts the entire immediate family and sometimes even the extended family. It can be both emotionally and physically taxing, especially if someone takes on the role of primary caregiver.

In the Kansas City area and across Missouri, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will fight for your rights. Contact our legal team today at (877) 284-6600. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CASE REVIEW TODAY

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published July 10, 2019 under the title “When is an Injury Considered Catastrophic?”. It was reviewed on October 24, 2023 for content and accuracy and the title changed.