Common Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

Common Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

By their very definition, catastrophic injuries are exceptional in their frequency and effect. While these injuries may not happen with as great of frequency as other types of injuries, they can easily result in disfigurement, paralysis, or other permanent consequences.

When you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, seeking immediate medical help is paramount. However, knowing when you may have suffered a catastrophic injury may not be as apparent as you might think. 

Five Common Catastrophic Injuries

If you sustain any of the following types of injuries following a car accident, slip and fall, or other personal injury incident, you should seek medical help immediately. Any one of these can be considered to be a catastrophic injury and lead to permanent damage:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

As many as 2.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. Any blow to the head has the potential to cause trauma to the brain and should be evaluated as soon as possible. Moderate or severe TBIs can lead to permanent memory loss, behavioral changes, and loss of cognitive functioning.

Burns

About 486,000 individuals receive medical treatment for burn injuries every year. The pain of a sunburn is nothing compared to the harm that a second-degree or third-degree burn can inflict. These severe injuries can damage muscle and bone, expose you to the risk of infection, and result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Loss of Limb

Fingers, toes, hands, and feet can be amputated in crushing or shear-type injuries. This includes accidents involving motor vehicles and heavy machinery. While prosthetics may be able to replace a severed limb, healing from these injuries will almost always involve addressing your physical and emotional trauma.

Internal Trauma

Sometimes, the injuries you cannot see can be the most dangerous. If you suffered a blow to your chest or abdomen during an injury event, your spleen or other internal organs may have suffered trauma. Hitting your handlebars during a bicycle or motorcycle wreck is a common way for these injuries to occur. Internal trauma can cause death if it is not treated appropriately by medical professionals.

Injuries to the Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is an essential part of your nervous system, carrying information from your brain throughout your body. Injuring your back or neck in a fall or car accident can damage your spinal cord and affect your body’s ability to send and receive signals along this pathway. Some damage to the spinal cord can heal with time, but other damage is permanent and can result in paralysis.

What an Atlanta Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer Can Do to Help

While an Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyer cannot undo the physical damage a catastrophic injury causes you, your attorney can assist you in other ways. By filing a claim for damages against the at-fault party, your lawyer can help you pursue the resources you will need to provide for your short-term and long-term needs.