Philadelphia Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Catastrophic injuries refer to life-altering injuries that affect victims’ futures in profound ways. In other words, catastrophic injuries lead to immense physical, financial, and emotional losses, and if someone else’s negligence causes you to suffer such an injury, you need an experienced Philadelphia, PA, catastrophic injury lawyer on your side.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

If the impact of the accident is intense enough, nearly any kind can cause a catastrophic injury, but some of the most common causes include:

• Serious traffic accidents, including car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bike, pedestrian, and rideshare accidents
• ATV accidents
• Dog attacks
• Medical malpractice
• Slip and fall accidents – especially from heights

Injuries that Often Qualify as Catastrophic

While many kinds of injuries can qualify as catastrophic when they’re especially serious, the following are prime examples of those injuries that are generally considered catastrophic:

• Limb loss or injuries that require amputation
• Severe spinal cord injuries, including complete and incomplete paralysis
• Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) which have a 22 percent fatality rate and a 30 percent chance of worsening in the five years following the accident
• Severe burns covering a large portion of the body, which are permanently disfiguring and come with very serious secondary health concerns

Your Overwhelming Losses

The losses you experience as a result of a catastrophic injury can be difficult to overstate, but they break down into several primary categories.

Medical Costs

With a catastrophic injury, you’re likely to be facing a lifetime of healthcare needs that may become progressively more invasive and serious with the passage of time. Because a catastrophic injury can affect both your mental and physical health and can impact your well-being at every level, your related medical expenses over the course of your lifetime can be exceptionally high. Many people who suffer these severe injuries also face expenses related to assistance with the activities of daily living and modifications to their homes. 

Lost Income

A catastrophic injury can completely derail your career, and you may never work again, which translates to a serious financial loss – especially when calculated in relation to your expected career growth and your expanded earning potential into the future. Serious losses in this category often include an emotional component that reflects the importance many of us attach to the work we do.

Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering

It is difficult to apply parameters to the amount of physical and emotional pain and suffering you’re likely to endure in the wake of a catastrophic injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence. Your life’s been permanently altered as a result of the other party’s lack of concern, and it’s a lot to handle.