Catastrophic injuries are those that seriously interfere with a person’s quality of life, rendering them unable to do things they once could do. These injuries are long-term and change the person’s life. California has a statute of limitations of two years if you want to file a personal injury claim.
Eye injuries
An eye injury that causes permanent vision loss in at least one eye is a catastrophic injury. You could thus receive more compensation in a personal injury case if this is one of your injuries that the other party is responsible for. Common causes of catastrophic eye injuries are chemicals, orbital blowout fractures and lacerations.
Traumatic brain injuries
A traumatic brain injury could cause serious cognitive and physical issues. People may lose the ability to speak and understand, have difficulty taking care of themselves, have convulsions or seizures or experience difficulty in waking up. Emotional issues could also result, such as irritability, anger and impulsivity. Any sudden blow to the head could cause a traumatic brain injury.
Nerve damage
Nerve damage causes you to lose feeling in a part of your body. Not all cases of nerve damage are permanent. Accidents and falls can cause nerve damage, so you should always receive a checkup after an injury even if you don’t think it’s anything serious. Pay close attention to your health in the months after your injury as well because some conditions only show up later. If you experience muscle weakness, tingling, frequently drop items you were holding, numbness or buzzing, then you may have nerve damage.
Spinal cord injuries
Injuries to the spinal canal could cause permanent changes to your strength, body functions and sensations. They could also have lasting emotional and mental effects. Trampoline accidents, falls from heights and car accidents are some of the possible causes of spinal cord injuries.
Catastrophic injuries come in various forms. They may even result in someone’s death. The law allows you to seek compensation for medical costs and pain and suffering if another person is responsible for your injury.
