Pittsburgh Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

While there is a wide array of injuries that can be classified as catastrophic, some of the more common types of catastrophic injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are injuries to the brain caused by sudden blows, bumps or penetrating injuries to the head that often result in temporary or permanent changes in brain function.
• Severe brain injuries can cause significant long-term effects, including cognitive impairments, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood changes and even coma or death. Rehabilitation and therapy are often necessary to help regain your lost abilities and adapt to any permanent changes in function.
• Brain injuries can have a profound impact on your life, affecting your ability to work, engage in daily activities, and maintain relationships. For those who’ve suffered from traumatic brain injuries, prompt medical attention and appropriate management are crucial for optimizing outcomes and minimizing long-term complications.

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are damage to the spinal cord resulting from trauma, disease or degeneration. When the spinal cord is injured, the communication between the brain and the body is disrupted, which can lead to loss of function and sensation below the level of the injury.
• The consequences of a spinal cord injury can vary widely depending on the location and severity of the injury. Some possible effects include paralysis, loss of sensation, changes in bowel and bladder function, difficulty breathing and chronic pain. Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves medical management to stabilize the injury, rehabilitation to regain function, and ongoing support to manage the long-term effects of the injury.

Amputation

• Victims who’ve undergone an amputation from catastrophic injuries may face significant physical, emotional, and psychological challenges as a result of a lost body part. Rehabilitation and ongoing medical care are crucial to help adapt to life with limb loss, regain independence, and achieve optimal function with the use of prosthetic devices or other assistive technologies. Additionally, support from healthcare professionals, rehabilitation specialists, counselors, and peer support groups can play a vital role in helping victims cope with the physical and emotional impact of amputation and adjust to their new circumstances.

Severe Burns

• Severe burns can cause a range of injuries and complications, affecting not only the skin but also underlying tissues, organs and bodily functions. These injuries can create long-term physical, psychological and emotional issues for victims. Treatment for severe burns typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, including wound care, surgical interventions (such as skin grafting and reconstructive surgery), pain management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support.

Organ Damage

• Complications from organ damage suffered in a catastrophic event can include dangerous infection, hemorrhaging, organ dysfunction or failure, compartment syndrome or neurological deficits. With so many associated risks, treatment for organ damage is often extensive and can be extremely cost intensive. Those afflicted may find themselves being forced to deal with medical management, surgical intervention, rehabilitation and supportive care, the financial burden of the necessary care, and lost wages, all of which which can make the path to recovery feel insurmountable without proper legal representation.

Vision or Hearing Loss

• Vision loss can occur due to various traumatic events affecting the eyes or visual pathways. Some common causes and types of vision loss include direct eye trauma, penetrating eye injuries, chemical burns, brain injuries and optic nerve injuries with each type requiring varying degrees of medical intervention and rehabilitation. In addition to medical interventions, supportive services and accommodations, such as vision rehabilitation programs and assistive technologies, can help individuals adapt to changes in their vision and lead fulfilling lives despite their injuries.
• Similarly, hearing loss can occur as a result of acoustic trauma, head trauma, barotrauma, penetrating injuries or brain injuries. Treatment for hearing loss resulting from injuries depends on the nature and severity of the injury but may include immediate medical evaluation, surgical interventions, medications, hearing aids or auditory rehabilitation services. In both cases – hearing or vision loss as a result of injuries – early detection and prompt treatment are critical for minimizing long-term damages and maximizing outcomes for victims.

Other Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries suffered in an accident are not limited to the categories outlined above. The following are also common types of catastrophic injuries that victims suffer and for which they may be entitled to compensation:

• Multiple Bone Fractures
• Facial Injuries
• Nerve Damage
• Birth Injuries

Calculating damages in catastrophic injury cases can be difficult as each case has its own unique circumstances. However, there are two main types of damages that are often recovered for victims of catastrophic injuries – economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages aim to compensate the injured party for the tangible financial losses and expenses they have incurred as a result of the catastrophic injury. Calculating economic damages requires documentation and evidence of the actual financial losses and expenses, including receipts, bills, medical records, employment records, and expert testimony where necessary.

Common economic damages include:

• Medical Expenses
• Lost Income or Earning Capacity
• Property Damage
• Home Modifications or Accommodations
• Transportation Expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages in catastrophic injury cases refer to the intangible losses and harms suffered by the injured party. These damages compensate the injured party for the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of the injury on their life. Common types of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and Suffering (Physical and Emotional)
• Disfigurement
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Loss of Consortium
• Loss of Independence

While non-economic damages are not based on concrete financial losses, they play a crucial role in providing full and fair compensation to injured parties for the overall impact of catastrophic injuries on their lives.