What Counts as a Catastrophic Injury in Law
Even if you’ve been in a horrific accident, the injuries you sustain may not be considered legally catastrophic. Your injuries must cause permanent damage that impacts your ability to work or live by yourself. While definitions of catastrophic injuries may differ from state to state, the focus will be on how life-changing your injuries are.
Read on as we unpack what counts as a catastrophic injury in law.
Understanding What Catastrophic Injuries Look Like
Catastrophic injuries don’t always look the same. But they do create a situation where you may have a permanent disability that requires ongoing care.
Spinal cord damage, for instance, could result in paralysis that creates mobility challenges. You may be unable to perform the physical work required of your job. And you may need medical appointments for ongoing care for the rest of your life.
If you endure a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to a crash, you may end up with permanent changes to how your brain works. It could become harder to remember moments or focus on the task at hand. Your speech, mood, and balance could be affected, too.
Additionally, catastrophic injuries can include amputations or burns. When you have nerve damage, going to work and performing your responsibilities could become impossible.
Working with a skilled legal team, such as the Houston-based attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas, can help you chart a path forward. As they indicate on their website, they can provide “expert analysis of your case to determine liability and damages.”
Comparing Catastrophic Injuries with Temporary Injuries
If you break your arm in an accident, you’ll generally get better in a few months. While a broken bone can hinder your ability to work, it doesn’t cause long-lasting damage. With a catastrophic injury, by contrast, you’ll endure chronic issues that impact your life.
There’s a difference between an injury that causes temporary problems and one that is beyond a full recovery. If you can’t work in a warehouse or factory because of a spinal injury, for instance, you’ll lose your livelihood. And when you’re trying to submit a claim, you’ll need to use a strategy that considers your long-term situation.
You may need rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, or special assistance at home. You may be out of a job for months and need to find a new line of work that depends less on your physical abilities. With a catastrophic injury, the financial repercussions tend to be much harder than those associated with a typical personal injury.
Looking at Definitions in Texas
If you live in Texas, a catastrophic injury generally applies to an injury that leads to significant loss of physical or cognitive abilities. In other words, you may not be able to live on your own, and you may lose function in some parts of your body.
When you’re assembling materials to file a claim in Texas, be prepared to provide robust evidence that your life is severely impacted by the injury. And you may need to show medical records and statements from providers showing that you’ll need medical care well into the future.
Considering Your Injuries
Knowing if an injury is catastrophic or not can hinge on several factors, including state-specific laws. The extent to which injuries affect your employment, mobility, and ability to live independently will come into play, as well. You may need to reroute your career or budget for long-term medical care when you have a catastrophic injury.
When you’re dealing with a difficult injury after an accident, partner with a reputable legal team so you can get the financial assistance you deserve.
