What Injuries Are Considered Catastrophic?

Catastrophic injuries are frequently fatal and can result in permanent disability. Therefore, it’s important to hire a legal professional like naylorlaw.com to help you get through some of the more difficult and stressful moments following an injury. It may also be financially overwhelming, resulting in an inability to work or continue your regular life. In addition, a catastrophic injury can result in extended hospitalization, which can put a significant financial strain on a person right away. But what exactly qualifies as catastrophic? This article will look at the most common injuries that may be considered catastrophic.

Spinal Cord Injuries

There are several different types of catastrophic injuries. One of the most severe is a spinal cord injury, which can result in paralysis or permanent disability. There are many causes of spinal cord injuries, and you may be eligible for compensation if the accident was not your fault. However, spinal cord injuries may be particularly difficult to pursue because the victim must undergo extensive rehabilitation to recover from the trauma.

The most common cause of spinal cord injuries is a motor vehicle accident, which accounts for almost half of all new cases yearly. Falls are also one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in people over age 65. A violent encounter accounts for 12% of spinal cord injuries. Knife and gunshot wounds are common. Other causes of spinal cord injury include athletic activities and diseases. Those with osteoporosis are also at high risk for a spinal cord injury.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury is devastating, often resulting in permanent damage or death. While most brain injuries occur in motor vehicle accidents, they can also occur in sports or construction site accidents. In the case of a brain injury, the medical providers who respond will automatically assume the worst, known as a catastrophic brain injury. The severity of a traumatic brain injury depends on its location and the extent of the damage to the brain.

Various symptoms are common with traumatic brain injury, and the severity of the injury increases the risk of complications. One of the most common is a coma. Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may remain in this state for days or weeks. Some people may be able to awaken, make sounds, and respond to reflexes, but their ability to function will be greatly impaired. Traumatic brain injuries may be fatal, but treatments are available for many cases.

Multiple Bone Fractures

A catastrophic injury can be a life-altering event. Some injuries can be so severe that their victims are permanently disabled or require lengthy medical care. Some injuries are so serious that they require amputation. Other catastrophic injuries are those that involve internal organs or multiple bone fractures. Burn injuries can also be catastrophic if they leave a person permanently scarred. Those that require amputation are usually classified as catastrophic, as well.

Many of the injuries that can result in a fractured bone are caused by blunt force trauma. This type of fracture requires immediate medical care. It can take a long time to heal, and many victims cannot work while recovering. A fracture can also lead to chronic pain and mobility problems. These injuries are considered catastrophic and must be treated as soon as possible.

Organ Damage

There are many ways that organ damage can occur, but organ failure is one of the most serious. This type of injury is often life-altering and requires significant medical treatment to compensate for losing vital organs. Signs of organ failure include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and the accumulation of fluids in the body. In addition, if the victim has suffered organ failure, they may also experience loss of appetite, nausea, or indigestion.

When an injury causes internal bleeding, organs may be damaged. It can have long-term consequences, as these organs function to support the body. Damage to the lungs, for example, can impair breathing, and organ failure may result in life-threatening kidney damage. Other types of organ damage include injuries to the liver and kidneys. These injuries can be catastrophic, and the injured party may be forced to live with life-changing effects for months or even years.

Amputation

Amputation is a traumatic injury that affects a person’s life. It often results in surgery and post-operative care. It can also cause pain, sores, and cysts at the amputation site. Amputation victims usually require prosthetic limbs or attachments to continue living. In addition, they often need ongoing pain medications and psychological counseling. Finally, amputations can cause long-term effects that affect the person’s life, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

Amputations can happen to anyone. Sometimes a person may be born with missing limbs, but most of the time, the limb is lost due to a traumatic event. Although amputations can be a consequence of a blood vessel disease, amputations usually occur due to trauma. In addition, surgery to remove bone tumors may also result in amputation. While it may be difficult to determine which accident caused the loss of a limb, the physical consequences are profound.