While many injuries stemming from another person’s negligence heal on their own relatively quickly, some can have devastating and permanent consequences, leaving accident victims with disabilities or disfigurement for the rest of their lives. Not to mention, these injuries can be especially expensive to treat and painful to deal with.
While recovery may not be possible for some severe injuries, you can recover your past and future financial losses with the help of a personal injury attorney. Once retained, an experienced Austin catastrophic injury lawyer will work tirelessly on your behalf to establish the opposing party’s liability and recover compensation for every loss you have suffered and are likely to suffer in the future.
When is an Injury Considered “Catastrophic?”
While there is no exact definition under Texas law, medical professionals and civil courts generally understand “catastrophic” injuries to be those which leave victims with significant and permanent impairments that inhibit their ability to live a normal life. Any accident that leaves someone with a catastrophic injury could form the basis of a successful civil claim in Austin.
Many types of injuries can have catastrophic consequences for accident victims. Some of the most commonly litigated catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord damage resulting in partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic brain damage resulting in permanent loss of physical, sensory, and/or cognitive function
- Loss of limb
- Severe burns resulting in permanent scarring and/or nerve damage
- Damage to internal organs leading to a permanent loss of function
Seeking Recovery for Long-Term Damages
One of the greatest challenges of catastrophic injury claims is proving the scale and value of recoverable damages. For example, a person who becomes permanently paralyzed below the waist in a car crash may have to pay for emergency medical intervention immediately after the wreck as well as years of rehabilitative therapy, prescription pain medication, medical devices, and even home and vehicle modifications to accommodate their limited mobility.
Likewise, a newfound disability could permanently limit someone’s occupational options or prevent them from working at all, making their financial circumstances after a catastrophic accident even more dire.
For these reasons, it is crucial to have both a short- and long-term approach to seeking recovery for a catastrophic injury resulting from someone else’s negligence. It is advisable to seek the advice and counsel of an experienced legal professional before entering civil litigation, as they can provide valuable insight on the best strategies for success.
Speak with an Austin Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Unfortunately, there is no settlement or civil verdict large enough to completely erase the pain and suffering that comes with a catastrophic injury. Instead, the goal of civil recovery in these cases is not to completely restore the plaintiff to their former selves, but rather to ensure that live the most comfortable and productive life possible after being permanently injured through no fault of their own.
If you or a loved one have suffered a permanent and debilitating injury because of someone else’s carelessness, discuss your options with an Austin catastrophic injury lawyer. Call our firm today to set up an initial consultation.