Denver Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is one that leaves the victim paralyzed, severely disabled, unable to work, and/or dependent on a caregiver. Serious motor vehicle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries because of the size and weight of vehicles, and the impact of a collision.

Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Vision loss: Trauma to the eyes, or damage in certain parts of the brain, can result in deterioration or loss of vision. Minor vision loss can affect someone’s work or future employment opportunities, while complete vision loss not only impacts a victim’s professional life, but personal life as well. Vision loss can result in psychological difficulties, such as depression, and negatively impact relationships with friends and family.
• Hearing loss: Long-term hearing loss is often associated with certain industries, including construction and manufacturing – particularly when workers are not provided with proper safety equipment. Hearing loss can affect many different aspects of a person’s life, including work and personal relationships. Damage to a person’s inner ears is typically permanent and cannot be treated without medical procedures and hearing aids.
• Loss of limb: Traumatic amputation can occur in car wrecks and workplace accidents, especially around large and powerful machinery. Other times, injuries to body parts can be so extensive that surgical amputation is required. Any type of loss of limb is traumatic and can have serious consequences for years to follow.
• Severe burns: Burns that affect large parts of a person’s body, or the head and face, are destructive. Not only are these burns painful and require extensive medical treatment, but they can result in other issues like impaired movement. Burns to the face and head can involve hearing or vision loss, and facial burns result in scars that can have long-term psychological consequences as well.
• Organ damage: Severe organ damage can result in the need for long-term treatment or greatly limit the physical activity of an injured person. These limitations may result in loss of future work, changes in lifestyle that negatively affect that person’s mental health and relationships with others, and future complications that require additional medical care.
• Spinal cord injuries: Minor spinal cord trauma typically result in long-term pain and suffering that can require medical treatment, prescription drugs, and surgery to correct. Serious trauma to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury and where on the spine it is located. Paralysis can impact the rest of a person’s life, with consequences that include loss of work, difficulty with personal relationships, and future complications.
• Traumatic brain injuries: These are among the most serious catastrophic injuries a person can suffer. Depending on the location and severity of a brain injury, the consequences can vary. Even seemingly minor injuries can seriously impact someone’s personality or daily routine. Severe brain injuries can result in loss of memory, extreme changes in personality or lifestyle, and difficulty performing previously routine tasks. These injuries often result in a loss of work and future possibilities, and can place a tremendous strain on relationships, including marriage.