Catastrophic Injury Law






Find a Law Firm:

Catastrophic Injuries - Catastrophic injury means “consequences of an injury that permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work.” A catastrophic injury or illness usually occurs suddenly and without warning and can leave a person suffering from permanent disabilities for the rest of his/her life. Catastrophic injuries are any injuries that have serious, long-term effects on the victim. Catastrophic injuries can often put serious stress on the victim's family because they may need constant supervision or assistance for the rest of their lives, as well as a lifetime of rehabilitation and medical bills.

Catastrophic injuries can be caused by any number of different circumstances, and are considered catastrophic, due to the enormous impact they have on the lives of the individuals who experience them. A catastrophic injury or illness very often causes severe disruption to the central nervous system, such as spinal cord injuries or severe burn injuries, which in turn affects many other systems of the body. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries include: serious head trauma; accidental amputation; multiple bone fracture; eye injury; shoulder injury; foot injury; back injury; neck injury; brain injury; severe burns; organ damage; spinal cord and neurological disorders, which can result in paralysis; paraplegia; and quadriplegia. Catastrophic injury settlements seek to compensate victims for these lifelong disabilities.

What is Catastrophic Injury Law? If a catastrophic injury was caused by the negligent or intentional act of another, or by a dangerous or defective product, a personal injury claim by the victim will be an integral factor in determining his/her future quality of life, including the quality of the medical care and other support he/she will receive. Because of the huge financial implications a catastrophic injury has, one of the most important aspects of bringing a personal injury claim is the determination of the value of such a claim.

Legislatures throughout the country have imposed caps on "non-economic" damages, which can be quite low. A catastrophic injury lawyer can help recover compensation for the damages that the victim or his/her loved one has experienced, including: lost wages; loss of enjoyment of life; mental anguish; pain and suffering; lost future wages; permanent disability; and medical bills.

Copyright HG.org

Know Your Rights!

Catastrophic Injury Law – US

  • Catastrophic Injury Litigation - Wikipedia

    Catastrophic injuries can be physically, emotionally and financially devastating. Victims and their families may be able to obtain compensation through a personal injury claim. This legal guide offers information on defining catastrophic injuries, types, causes, and how an attorney can help.

  • CDC - Injury, Violence and Safety

    Welcome to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For over 60 years, CDC has been dedicated to protecting health and promoting quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability. We are committed to programs that reduce the health and economic consequences of the leading causes of death and disability, thereby ensuring a long, productive, healthy life for all people.

  • United States Department of Labor - State Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities

    State data presenting the number and frequency of work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities are available from two BLS programs: nonfatal cases of work-related injuries and illnesses that are recorded by employers under the Occupational safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) recordkeeping guidelines are available for 46 States and Territories from the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII); fatal cases of work-related injuries are available for all States, Territories, and New York City under a separate program, the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).

Organizations Related to Catastrophic Injury Law

Publications Related to Catastrophic Injury Law

Articles on HG.org Related to Catastrophic Injury Law

  • What Are the Different Types of Assault?
    The term assault is used with relation to any number of different crimes and civil offenses, often incorrectly. So, what is assault, actually? And what are the different types of assault?
  • Fan Given Another Bite at the Hot Dog in Lawsuit Against Kansas City Royals
    A fan who got hit in the eye by a hot dog thrown by the Kansas City Royals mascot in 2009 could get another chance to convince a jury that the Royals owe him for his injuries. The case went before the Missouri Supreme Court on September 11.
  • Puerto Rican Island Residents Sue US Government for Human Rights Violations
    After decades of live fire exercises on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico, the US government ceased to fire on the island in 2003. Nevertheless, the legacy of those training exercises linger on, and now a group of residents have filed a lawsuit against the US government claiming human rights violations.
  • Problems with California's Bill Limiting Workers' Compensation for Out-of-State Athletes
    California has moved one step closer to making its controversial workers’ compensation bill a reality. Earlier this month, the California Senate voted to pass the bill, which restricts most professional athletes playing for out-of-state teams from filing workers’ compensation claims in California. The bill is now awaiting the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown.
  • Can Those Who Text to Drivers Be Held Liable for Resulting Auto Accidents?
    We all know that texting while driving is incredibly dangerous. In fact, according to Public Health Law Research (PHLR), up to 28% of traffic collision risk is caused by cell phone-related distracted driving. Texting while driving is not only against the law, but it can also result in civil tort liability for any auto accidents caused by distracted driving.
  • Amid Product Liability Suit, Johnson & Johnson Announces Another Recall
    Johnson & Johnson, well known pharmaceutical company, announced a recall for its anti-psychotic drug, Risperdal Consta. The recall was due to concerns that the drug may not be sterile. The Risperdal recall is just the latest of dozens of recalls by Johnson & Johnson in recent years, costing the Brunswick, N.J.-based company hundreds of millions of dollars, and damaging its reputation in the medical community and among patients.
  • Proving Lead Poisoning Cases
    The heyday of lead poisoning cases may be past, but they still pop up from time to time. Often, lead paint is discovered in older homes when renovations are underway. The effects of lead poisoning are often slow to develop and require difficult proofs.
  • How do You Know Who is at Fault in a Car Accident
    Determining the responsible party for a car accident can sometimes be tricky. There is often a difference between who actually caused an accident and who legally is at fault. Understanding who is at fault will have ramifications on whose insurance will be required to pay for damage to vehicles and properties, and which driver might be held liable for personal injuries.
  • Medical Malpractice Whistleblower Case Against Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Settled
    The immunosuppressant drug Rapamune was at the center of a lawsuit which was recently settled for $257.4 million.
  • UCLA Wide Receiver Killed in Pedestrian Auto Accident
    Car accidents can happen at any moment and have the potential to be fatal.
  • All Personal Injury Law Articles