The word ‘catastrophe’ is defined as a disaster, a sudden event that causes tremendous amounts of damage and suffering. For those who have suffered a catastrophic accident in their own lives, this word is the perfect encapsulation of the damages they face.
Catastrophic accidents, along with catastrophic injuries, present the highest level of suffering to survivors. The outcomes leave victims with injuries that frequently alter a person’s life in monumental ways. If you or a loved one has suffered a disastrous injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, the Connecticut catastrophic injury attorneys at Ronald M. Scherban, P.C. can help.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Burn Injuries – Burn injuries are very painful and very expensive injuries. Many of these injuries occur in private homes, though a number of burns are also suffered in the workplace and on roadways. While fires and smoke inhalation are a leading cause of serious burns, they can also be caused by scalding, chemicals and electricity.- Loss of Limbs – Amputations and loss of limbs can cause permanent disability, leaving victims with life long struggles to cope with employment, medical costs and ongoing treatment and care. Loss of limbs can happen in vehicle accidents, but they are also common in the workplace, especially in industries where workers use heavy machinery.
- Organ Damage – Of all catastrophic injuries, internal damage is one of the most lethal, simply because it is so difficult to detect. Damage to the kidneys, spleen, lungs, heart or intestines may lead to internal bleeding that can’t be seen immediately following an accident.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – Every year, approximately 7 million people in the U.S. suffer traumatic brain injuries. Of those victims, over 50,000 will lose their lives because of the injury. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to cognitive impairment, paralysis and death. Like internal damage, traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to detect immediately following an accident.
- Spinal Injuries – The spinal cord is a delicate structure that enables so many of our bodily functions. When a spinal cord injury is suffered, it can alter a person’s life in permanent and immeasurable ways. Spinal cord injuries can result in disability, intense pain and paralysis.
- Paralysis – Studies from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation report that nearly one in 50 people suffer from paralysis. There are many different causes of paralysis, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Paralysis is also one of the most expensive medical conditions, often costing victims millions of dollars over a lifetime of treatment and ongoing medical care.
Damages From Catastrophic Injuries
For victims of these terrible injuries, there are a number of challenges. They include pain, suffering, expensive medical bills, ongoing treatment, loss of income, loss of work capacity and permanent disability. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, then that person should be held responsible for the damages suffered by the victim.
