Understanding Catastrophic Injury Cases and Long-Term Care Costs
Catastrophic injury cases often leave victims needing long-term care. If you suffered such an injury due to someone else’s negligence, your life changed instantly. Getting fair compensation can help your recovery. Rely on an experienced Charleston catastrophic injury attorney at The Law Office of Mark C. Tanenbaum, P.A. for support.
Catastrophic Injuries Defined
In the State of South Carolina, the term catastrophic injury generally applies when one of the following conditions defines the victim’s condition:
- Their injuries prevent a return to work or to daily activities.
- They suffer a disability that is long-term or permanent.
- They need extensive medical care or lifelong assistance.
While catastrophic injuries are not specifically addressed as a matter of law, they frequently come up in South Carolina personal injury claims.
Accidents that Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Many catastrophic injury claims arise from serious incidents such as: traffic accidents, including those involving drunk drivers or distracted driving;
- Premises liability claims, including slip and fall accidents
- Boating accidents
- Railroad accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home negligence and abuse
- Construction and industrial accidents
- Injuries caused by defective consumer products
Injuries that Often Qualify as Catastrophic
There are certain kinds of serious injuries that are more likely to be classified as catastrophic, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Complex bone breaks
- Limb loss and injuries that require amputation
- Injuries that are disfiguring
- Serious burns
- Spinal cord injuries that result in chronic pain or seriously reduced mobility, including various types of paralysis
- Damage to internal injuries
- Injuries that lead to vision or hearing loss
Your Legal Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
The types of losses you can seek compensation for in your South Carolina catastrophic injury claim fall into two categories: economic damages, which have a defined monetary value, and non-economic damages, which compensate for non-monetary aspects such as pain and suffering.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to those losses that can be quantified with a verifiable price. These include your medical expenses, which are likely to be ongoing in the face of a catastrophic injury. Additionally, you need to consider your lost earnings. If you’re able to return to work at all, your earning potential could take a serious hit, which translates to more significant economic losses.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are less straightforward to assign a value to. These include the physical pain you suffer as well as the emotional distress you endure. This category of loss could exceed the combined amount of your economic damages.
Consult with an Experienced Charleston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
Our accomplished Charleston catastrophic injury attorneys at The Law Office of Mark C. Tanenbaum, P.A., appreciate the magnitude of your claim and will spare no effort in our focused pursuit of a fair settlement that supports your most complete recovery. Learn more about what we can do to help by contacting us online or calling us at 843-577-5100 today.