Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are wounds that permanently prohibit a person from performing gainful work or activities. Common types of catastrophic injuries sustained in personal injury accidents are:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations (i.e. the loss of a limb)
- Third- and fourth-degree burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Permanent hearing and vision loss
- Paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Birth injuries
7 Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
A person can sustain a catastrophic injury in any number of negligence-based accidents, including (but not limited to):
- Workplace accidents. People injured while at work can suffer catastrophic injuries because of slips and falls, violence, falling object, or job-specific dangers in their workplace. While construction workers, firefighters, and others in dangerous fields are believed to be at the most risk, anyone in any profession can suffer a catastrophic injury at work. For instance, a teacher may sustain a TBI when trying to break up a fight, and a retail employee could be paralyzed if they trip and fall and damage their spinal cord.
- Negligent security accidents. Negligent security accidents are a type of premises liability matter that involves a person being injured while on someone else’s property because of inadequate safety measures. For instance, a person may be attacked at their hotel and sustain head/brain trauma.
- Vehicular accidents. If a person is involved in a car, motorcycle, or trucking accident, they can sustain catastrophic injuries, including burns, amputations, spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and hearing or vision loss. The type of injuries that a person sustains will depend on the circumstances of the accident. For instance, if a person is involved in a multiple-vehicle accident or is t-boned, the impact of the collision can cause their head to slam against the doorframe, dashboard, or steering wheel, which can lead to head trauma. However, a motorcycle crash victim may lose a limb and suffer from third-degree if they are involved in a collision that traps them under a vehicle.
- Slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can lead to spinal trauma and traumatic brain injuries. The type and severity of the injuries will depend on where the fall occurs as well as what caused the fall. Slip and fall accidents can occur on wet floors, defective stairs, uneven pavement, or uneven flooring.
- Medical malpractice. Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medication errors can lead to catastrophic injuries, including amputations, paralysis, burn injuries, and internal organ damage.
- Product defects. If a product is not manufactured properly, people can suffer serious injuries when they try to use the product, which can lead to a lawsuit. Product defects can lead to a variety of catastrophic injuries, including burns, vision loss, or internal organ damage.
- Pedestrian accidents. Similar to motor vehicle accidents, pedestrians can suffer injuries that’s severity is based on the speed and size of the vehicle. If a pedestrian is thrown because of the collision or hit by a large vehicle, they can sustain severe head trauma as well as spinal injuries and broken bones that can lead to paralysis.
If you or a loved one are injured in a negligence-related accident, Eliot Reiner, APLC can help you navigate the negotiation or litigation process. Schedule an initial consultation by calling (916) 778-3228 or reaching out online.