Examples of Catastrophic Injuries Beyond Brain Trauma

For the 2.5 million people who experience a catastrophic injury each year, many experience permanent disability. Defined as any injury that results in permanent or long-term disability, a catastrophic injury can impact more than just the brain. A catastrophic injury can happen when you least expect it, forcing a person to give up their livelihood in exchange for ‘round-the-clock care.

While such an injury causes physical, emotional, and financial distress to an individual and their family, legal recovery may be possible. At Mark C. Tanenbaum, our [catastrophic injury attorneys believe that the wrongful party should compensate a victim fairly for any serious injury they caused. We can provide examples of catastrophic injuries commonly seen in successful personal injury claims.

Crush Injuries and Amputations

A crush injury can occur when an object exerts prolonged pressure on a body part, causing damage to nerves, muscles, bones, and internal organs. Symptoms include bruising, swelling, numbness, and intense pain. A crush injury is associated with trauma, which can progress to compartment syndrome (a severe complication of a crush injury).

Compartment syndrome is the buildup of pressure within a muscle compartment, cutting off blood flow and potentially leading to muscle death. Compartment syndrome is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention. In severe cases, surgical amputation may be required.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A catastrophic injury can result in injury to the spinal cord, the tubelike structure comprised of nerves that run from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The severity of a spinal cord injury will depend on its location and whether it is a complete or incomplete injury. In a complete injury, the spinal cord is fully severed, while in an incomplete injury, the brain can still send signals to the body.

In a complete injury, an individual will lose function and sensation below the site of injury, resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia. In contrast, individuals who experience an incomplete injury often retain partial movement or sensation below the site of injury. Seeking medical attention immediately following a spinal cord injury has been shown to reduce the chances of permanent disability.

Severe Burns

Second- and third-degree burns can cause severe fluid loss, tissue damage, and irreparable damage to vital organs. Symptoms of a severe burn include chronic pain, swelling, numbness, scarring/disfigurement, and shock (caused by inadequate blood flow to tissues). Seek medical attention immediately if you experience trouble breathing, extreme swelling, headaches, nausea, or any other life-threatening condition.

Maximum Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

Victims of catastrophic injury may recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other damages. However, South Carolina limits pain-and-suffering damages in medical malpractice cases, with the limit adjusted annually for inflation. However, this limit does not apply to other catastrophic injury claims.

Even so, this does not affect your ability to recover compensation for any out-of-pocket expenses that you experienced due to your injury. At Mark C. Tanenbaum, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the financial resources they need to make a complete physical recovery.

Contact a Charleston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has recently experienced a catastrophic injury, our Charleston catastrophic injury attorneys would like to hear from you. Even though the wrongful party likely did not mean to cause your injury, the damage is by no means less impactful. By recovering the maximum compensation, you can be reimbursed for all your losses and move forward. To learn more about our legal approach, contact Mark C. Tanenbaum, online or by phone at (843) 577-5100.