A Catastrophic Injury is an injury that occurs suddenly without warning and has serious, long term effects. These types of injuries have an enormous impact on quality of life and a person suffering a catastrophic injury can suffer from permanent disabilities for the rest of their life.
Oftentimes a catastrophic injury affects the nervous system, which in turn affects other major systems of the body, causing complex medical problems that require long term, life-long medical care.
Common examples of catastrophic injuries are:
Brain Injuries: Brain injuries are usually caused by blunt force trauma to the head. People who experience brain injuries may have long-term and short-term memory issues, loss of sensation, loss of movement, difficulty speaking and communicating, loss of hearing and or vision, chronic pain, sleep disorders, paralysis, and severe social-emotional issues.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries are due to trauma and damage to the spinal column, the spinal cord, and/or surrounding body parts. Spinal cord injuries can occur as a result of a traumatic blow to the spine that damages the vertebrae. A spinal cord injury can also be the result of a knife wound or gunshot wound that penetrates the spinal cord.
Spinal cord injuries can result in complete or incomplete paralysis, commonly referred to as quadriplegia and paraplegia. Many people who suffer spinal cord injuries have a shortened life span due to complications from this injury.
Burn Injuries: Most burn injuries are associated with fires, but they can also be caused by the explosion of flammable substances, chemical burns, electrical burns, and radiological burns. Severe burns can result in limited movement – possible paralysis – due to joint and bone problems, difficulty breathing, disfigurement, severe scarring, emotional issues, severe pain, and fatal infections.
Due to the severity of catastrophic injuries, victims of a catastrophic injury may require ongoing medical care for the rest of their lives. They may also need rehabilitation services, as well as constant assistance and supervision.
Catastrophic Injury Law: If the catastrophic injury was caused by the intentional or negligent act of another person, or due to a defective or dangerous product, the victim may be able to file a personal injury claim. Because of the overwhelming financial implications a catastrophic injury has, one of the most important aspects of bringing a personal injury claim is the determination of the value of such a claim.
Most victims of a catastrophic injury are unable to work, and are facing life-long medical care and assistance, in many cases victims of a catastrophic injury will require financial support for years to come. Therefore, it is important when hiring a personal injury attorney Rhode Island, that the victim hires an attorney who understands the complete effects of the injury as well as the long term financial implications of the injury to ensure that they receive the financial support needed.
When a defendant is found liable for a plaintiff’s injuries, the defendant is required to pay damages that “make the plaintiff whole.”This means that, to the extent possible, the plaintiff receives enough money to pay for all of his or her expenses and make up for the pain and suffering and loss of quality of life that resulted from the injury.
Catastrophic injury cases are very complicated due to the facts and arguments needed to prove the full extent of the plaintiff’s damages. In most cases medical experts will be called to testify regarding the victim’s medical condition and the necessity for future medical care.
An experienced Catastrophic Injury Accident Attorney will work with a team of medical professionals and medical experts to determine the future medical needs of the catastrophic injury victim. Life care planners, vocational experts, and financial experts will help establish the financial needs of a catastrophic injury victim.
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in Providence, whether in a car accident, a workplace accident, or by any other means, you owe it to yourself and your family to find out if you qualify to receive compensation for your injuries by consulting the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. in Providence. We will conduct an investigation aimed at identifying any and all parties whose act or failure to act appropriately may have contributed to causing your injury, and will make a claim for the full range of economic and quality-of-life damages you have suffered.
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With more than 40 years of dedicated legal experience with handling personal injury cases in Providence, our top-rated law firm is an unbeatable choice when your life has been devastated by catastrophic injury. State law imposes time limits on filing a claim. Don’t risk losing your right to a monetary award. Call the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. at (401) 751-8855 today to schedule a consultation, at absolutely no cost to you.
