|
CATASTROPHIC INJURIES RESOURCE CENTER
 |
|
Frequently Asked Questions about
Catastrophic Injuries
Q: What is a "catastrophic" injury?
A: Injuries are often called
"catastrophic" when the physical
injuries to a person are especially
severe, and require extensive
medical treatment. Often, the
injuries may cause damage to a
person's central nervous system,
which may affect other bodily
systems or functions. Examples of
catastrophic injuries include:
-
Spinal cord injuries
-
Paralysis
-
Brain injuries
-
Amputations
-
Burns over a large
portion of the body
-
Loss of an eye
-
Injuries to the nerves
in the chest, shoulder,
and arm (brachial
plexus)
-
Multiple fractures |
<>
In
addition, many people who suffer
catastrophic injuries also suffer
depression or other emotional
problems because of the limitations
put on them by their injuries.
Q: Are catastrophic injuries
permanent?
A: Not all catastrophic injuries
are permanent. Those injuries that
are not permanent will usually take
a very long time-months, or even
years-to reach a full recovery. In
some cases, especially those
involving children, the actual
extent of the injury may not be
known until much time has passed
after the accident. Emotional
injuries may also be a problem for a
long time after the physical
injuries have healed. The affects of
a catastrophic injury may linger for
a long period of time.
Read More
|
|
|
|
Injuries that are
considered catastrophic, due to the enormous
impact they have on the lives of the individuals
who experience them, include the following:
brain injury, spinal cord injury, accidental
amputation, severe burns, multiple fractures, or
other, neurological disorders. |
|
A catastrophic injury can devastate your life and the lives of
your loved ones. You may find yourself unable to work, drive, or
even walk. Personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries
require experience with complicated medical evidence and large
financial damage claims. If you are the victim of a spinal cord
injury, working with a spinal cord injury lawyer is your best
chance for successful financial recovery. A catastrophic injury
will likely require medical attention for the victim’s entire
life. It is important to seek the financial resources to
accommodate long-term physical therapy and recovery needs. At
Woodson Law Firm, our lawyers have considerable
experience representing clients suffering from catastrophic
injuries, including brain injuries, closed head injuries, head
trauma, spinal cord injuries, partial and full paralysis, loss
of limbs, loss of eyesight, loss of hearing, and coma.
Our catastrophic injury attorneys are devoted to helping you
secure the financial compensation you need for your recovery.
Catastrophic Injuries -
An Overview
A catastrophic injury or illness usually occurs suddenly and
without warning. Injuries that are considered catastrophic, due
to the enormous impact they have on the lives of the individuals
who experience them, include the following: brain injury, spinal
cord injury, accidental amputation, severe burns, multiple
fractures, or other, neurological disorders. A catastrophic
injury or illness very often causes severe disruption to the
central nervous system, which in turn affects many other systems
of the body. In addition to possible loss of movement,
sensation, and communicative and cognitive abilities, the injury
or illness may impact respiration, circulation, skin, the
urinary system, the gastrointestinal system, and other body
systems. Management of such an injury is complex and requires
the expertise of a team of health professionals including
physicians, consultants, nurses, therapists, and counselors.
Clearly, the long-term needs of someone who has experienced this
type of injury far surpass those of individuals with less severe
injuries. Individuals may recover from some catastrophic
injuries if they receive proper, early medical treatment;
however, others may experience permanent disability, significant
suffering, and reduced life spans.
Read More
Who Is Responsible?
Determining who may be responsible for catastrophic injuries can
be difficult. There typically is one party directly involved at
the scene. However, there may be several other less obvious
parties whose conduct played a role in causing your injuries.
Catastrophic injuries usually cause the victim to suffer
extensive monetary damages, so it is important to identify
everyone who may be responsible so that complete justice may be
done. An attorney experienced in handling catastrophic injury
cases knows how to investigate the facts of a case and to learn
the identities of every responsible party.
Any party who bears possible liability for your injuries should
be investigated. Every case is, of course, different, and the
exact identities of the responsible parties will depend on the
facts of your particular case.
Read More
Specific Types of
Catastrophic Injuries
There are many common, yet devastating, injuries that
necessitate the expertise of an attorney, knowledgeable in
catastrophic injury claims, to obtain adequate financial
compensation for the injured individual.
Read More
Informed Consent in
Cases of Medical Malpractice
If you were injured as the result of a medical procedure or
medication, the concept of informed consent will likely arise in
any claim for your injuries that you bring against a medical
professional. In many situations where medical care or treatment
is provided to an individual, medical professionals are required
to obtain the patient's "informed consent." Although the
specific definition of informed consent may vary from state to
state, it means essentially that a physician (or other medical
provider) must tell a patient all of the potential benefits,
risks, and alternatives involved in any surgical procedure,
medical procedure, or other course of treatment, and must obtain
the patient's written consent to proceed.
Read More
Motorcycle Accidents:
Helmet Laws
A helmet is by far the most important and most effective piece
of protective equipment a motorcycle driver or passenger can
wear. Helmets save lives by reducing the extent of head injuries
in the event of a traffic accident. A helmetless motorcyclist
involved in an accident is three times as likely to suffer a
brain injury as a motorcyclist wearing a helmet.
Read More
Motorcycle Accidents:
Protective Equipment
The best way to avoid bringing a claim for the devastating
injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident is to never
be injured in a motorcycle accident in the first place. Easier
said than done? Well, the bad news is that motorcycle riders
involved in accidents face a much greater risk of injury than
automobile drivers, and motorcycle riders can never be kept
completely safe from injury in an accident. The good news is
that developments in protective equipment can make motorcycle
riders much safer than in the past, provided they take advantage
of those developments.
Read More
Catastrophic Injuries
Resource Links
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Features labor data, surveys, publications and more.
CDC - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Features information on accident causes and prevention, traffic
fatalities, drowning, falls, and more.
Division of Quality Assurance - U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
Links to National Practitioner Data Bank and the Healthcare
Integrity and Protection Data Bank.
Read More
If you or your loved one is suffering from a catastrophic injury
sustained in an auto or
truck accident, in an electrical
accident, in a fire or explosion, at work, as a result of a
defective product, or due to medical malpractice,
contact us to
schedule a FREE CONSULTATION. We are available to meet
with you in the evening or on weekends and we can travel to your
home or hospital.
Texas Personal Injury &
Wrongful Death Attorneys
Also Serving Clients in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma
& California
|