Experiencing a catastrophic injury is an overwhelming and life-altering event. These injuries often come with significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Understanding your rights and options is crucial for moving forward.
If your injury was caused by someone else, you have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. A personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the money you need for your medical bills and future expenses.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is one that has a severe impact on the victim’s quality of life, often resulting in long-term or permanent disability. Catastrophic injuries usually require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. They can significantly affect the victim’s ability to perform daily activities.
The key element that makes an injury catastrophic? A lasting impact on the victim’s physical health and ability to work and lead a normal life.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can take many forms, each with its own unique challenges.
Common examples of severe injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputation
- Multiple or complex fractures
- Organ damage
- Severe nerve damage
- Loss of vision or hearing
Any injury that has a profound and lasting effect on your life can be considered catastrophic.
How Common Are Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries, while less common than minor injuries, still affect tens of thousands of people each year. About 2.8 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually in the United States. Around 85,000 of these injuries are disabling.
Approximately 17,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury each year. Nearly half are incomplete tetraplegia injuries. This means victims experience weakness or paralysis in all four limbs with limited control or feeling.
About 83,000 Americans suffer traumatic amputations every year. Major burn injuries covering at least 25% of their body affect 20,000 people. Even severe eye injuries are more common than you may think.
There are 147,000 people in the U.S. living with blindness due to an eye injury. Between 5% and 10% of cases of vision loss are due to injuries.
What Can Cause a Catastrophic Injury?
Any accident can cause life-changing injuries. Certain types of accidents cause the most catastrophic injuries in Colorado.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are leading causes of catastrophic injuries. High-speed crashes often cause brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and fractures. Motor vehicle accidents alone cause 39% of spinal cord injuries and 17% of serious traumatic brain injuries.
Falls
Falls, especially from significant heights or on slippery surfaces, can lead to severe injuries. Elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to catastrophic injuries from falls. For older adults, a seemingly minor fall can cause a severe brain injury or a hip fracture, for example.
Hip fractures can cause loss of independence, reduced mobility, and serious complications. These fractures dramatically increase the risk of premature death. One in three seniors dies within 12 months of fracturing their hip.
Falls are also a common cause of brain injuries. Around 35% of TBIs result from a fall.
Violence And Assault
Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds and physical assault, can cause life-threatening injuries. These incidents often result in severe physical and emotional trauma.
Sports Injuries
High-impact sports, such as football, hockey, and gymnastics, carry a risk of catastrophic injuries. Athletes may suffer from concussions, spinal injuries, and other serious conditions.
Workplace Accidents
Workers can face life-changing injuries from many types of workplace accidents. Common on-the-job hazards include falls, heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and being struck by objects. Injuries can happen at any workplace, but construction sites and factories are particularly dangerous for workers.
What Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Determining the value of a catastrophic injury case involves several factors. Each case is unique, and various elements can influence the potential compensation.
Common factors a lawyer must consider include:
- The severity and type of injuries you suffered
- The impact of the injury on your daily life and ability to maintain employment
- The circumstances of the accident and the defendant’s behavior
- Available insurance coverage
- Strength of evidence in your case
- Whether you contributed to your accident
Catastrophic injury cases often require expert testimony to prove damages. Your lawyer will work with medical and vocational experts to determine your future medical expenses, lost earnings, and other complex damages.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Catastrophic Injury In Lakewood, CO?
As the victims of a catastrophic injury in Colorado, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the costs and losses associated with your injury. You can seek damages from the at-fault party by proving liability or their legal responsibility for your losses. You may be entitled to the following types of compensation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses resulting from the injury. These may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and future earning capacity. Home modifications and other necessary costs can also fall under economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages encompass intangible losses. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. These damages compensate for the psychological and emotional impact of the injury.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious behavior. These damages are intended to deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are very rare and only available in limited cases that go before a jury.
How Long Do I Have To File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit In Colorado?
Understanding the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Colorado is crucial. If you miss this deadline, you lose your legal right to compensation for your injury. The statute of limitations in Colorado is usually two years from the date of your injury. The statute of limitations extends to three years for cases involving motor vehicle accidents.
It’s essential to act promptly to ensure your case is filed within the legal time frame. Contact our law office today to begin building your case.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Navigating the aftermath of a catastrophic injury can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Matos Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you every step of the way.
Since 2016, Matos Personal Injury Lawyers has fought tirelessly for injury victims like you.
During a free consultation, we can discuss your case, answer your questions, and provide the support you need. We have more than 39 years of combined experience handling complex cases like yours.
Contact our law office today at (720) 912 7274 to schedule a free consultation with a Lakewood catastrophic injury lawyer to discuss how we can help you.