When Is a Personal Injury Catastrophic?

 Posted on January 16, 2025 in Personal Injury

If you have been the victim of a personal injury, no matter how small, the effect on your mental and physical well-being can be significant. Catastrophic injuries – which have permanent, life-altering effects – are even more devastating. 

They commonly include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, and severe fractures. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a catastrophic personal injury, an experienced Greenwich, CT personal injury attorney can advise you on your ability to recover for this devastating loss. 

What Is a Personal Injury?

A personal injury claim arises when a person is injured due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Personal injury lawsuits commonly seek to recover for injuries sustained in car accidents, slip and fall cases, workplace mishaps, or as a result of defective products or medical negligence. Some examples of personal injuries include concussions, sprains, puncture wounds, and bruises. 

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a type of personal injury, and the legal claims available to sue for a catastrophic injury are generally the same as those for a personal injury. It also carries the same two-year limitations period that victims of personal injuries have to bring a claim.  

Yet the physical, financial, and emotional effects of a catastrophic injury are greater and are likely to impact a person for the rest of their lives, or at least for the foreseeable future. The damages incurred during a catastrophic injury are also more significant. Potential damages awards in catastrophic injury cases also tend to be significantly higher because of the enormous loss, and can include compensation for:

• Medical expenses

• Rehabilitation 

• Lost wages and future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Long term care 

• Loss of quality of life

What Are Some Common Catastrophic Injuries?

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

An injury to the head causing severe brain damage and leading to loss of cognitive abilities and physical disability is a catastrophic injury that can forever impact a person’s life. 

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and motor and respiratory issues. Paralysis of the legs or of the entire body often occurs in a car or motorcycle accident or as a result of medical negligence. 

Organ Damage

When an organ is severely damaged it can affect a person’s health and quality of life, and it may also be a life-threatening injury depending on severity. 

Severe Burns

Severe burns are very painful and can cause significant emotional damage in addition to physical consequences like scarring and disfigurement. Catastrophic burns also carry the risk of life-threatening infection.

Contact Our Greenwich, CT Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

A catastrophic injury is a devastating life event affecting nearly every aspect of the injured person’s life. An experienced New York Metro Area personal injury attorney can fight for your right to recover as much as possible so you and your family can receive the resources to deal with your injury and be compensated for your loss. Call Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara, LLC today at 203-661-6000 for a free consultation.