MAIN Home Legal Guide Personal Injury Catastrophic Injuries

"Catastrophic" refers to any devastating injury that may take years of treatment or rehabilitation, or that otherwise may have serious long-term effects on victims and their families.

Years of medical bills or constant surgeries, emotional strain and loss of income are just a few of the issues that victims may have to deal with throughout the rest of their lives.

If the injury is caused by medical malpractice, a faulty product such as playground equipment or a defective car, for example, victims who may be able to prove negligence can sue for compensation. Some of the more typical cases of catastrophic injury include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken limbs or accidental amputation
• Severe burns
• Organ damage
• Mass trauma (i.e., train or airplane crashes)

Many of these injuries require not only immediate attention, but often a complex course of treatment (including expert after care) by a medical team including surgeons, doctors, nurses, therapists, family counselors or psychotherapists.

Individuals or companies often face paying huge compensatory damages to victims of their negligence or carelessness. Therefore, a jury trial in catastrophic or personal injury cases is often long and embattled.

The first goal for victims, therefore, is to find a personal injury lawyer with experience in catastrophic injury, and who recognizes the long-term financial burden that their clients face, sometimes for the rest of their lives. In addition to professional expertise in the courtroom, a good personal injury lawyer can also advise victims on other available compensation from local or federal resources.

More about catastrophic injuries & legal resources around the Web:

Finding Support After a Drunk Driving Crash - Mothers Against Drunk Driving guide to financial recovery including legal remedies and compensation for victims, with related resources.

Mass Disaster - A Victims Guide - FindLaw guide with discussions on when to call a lawyer and how to seek compensation for aircraft crashes, train derailments, or natural disasters.

Traumatic Brain Injury - Legal information, fact sheets and related resources for victims from the National Disability Rights Network.

Burn Survivor - Your Legal Rights - Information on when to seek legal redress for personal injury, with related resources and health recovery guides.

Spinal Cord Injury - Liability And Your Rights - Extensive guide to legal rights and examples of typical accident cases involving faulty sports equipment, car crashes and related injuries.

Paralyzed Veterans of America - Legal Issues - Information on financial help and legal support for members of the armed forces, with related resources.

also in Home Legal Advisor -> Auto Accidents

Class Action Lawsuits | Disability | Medical Malpractice

Mesothelomia Resources

The information provided on these pages is intended as reference
only and does not constitute professional legal advice.