Although there is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes a catastrophic injury, damage to the spine, skull, or brain is regarded as a devastating injury, and an event resulting from such an injury is viewed as a catastrophic accident.
Are you or a loved one in danger of suffering a severe injury? What rights do you have if you sustain a catastrophic injury? Can insurance cover the costs of a devastating injury? When a claim involves fatal injuries, how are those claims handled differently? Can a car accident lawyer assist?
A head, brain, or spine damage is typically not regarded as a common injury once it occurs. Sports, slip-and-fall, and automobile accidents are the leading causes of catastrophic injuries. Nevertheless, a devastating injury can result from almost any event scenario.
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What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), often known as a brain injury, can be brought on by a head injury that interferes with normal brain activities. These injuries are distinct from “acquired” brain injuries, which are those brought on by infections or strokes (or ABIs).
Neurologists classify mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injuries. Most traumatic brain injuries are deemed “mild,” and most TBI victims recover over time. However, in some instances, the effects of “severe” traumatic brain damage can last a lifetime.
Check Also: How Georgia’s Impact Rule Works in Atlanta Personal Injury Cases
What Does It Cost to Treat a Traumatic Brain Injury?
As you may expect, traumatic brain injury treatment is expensive. According to the Brain Injury Association, an individual TBI patient will typically incur the following expenses:
- Therapy for outpatients: up to $1000 daily (for a four-hour session)
- Residential treatment: up to $2,500 daily
- TBI rehabilitation in a hospital: up to $8,000 per day
A health insurance plan will typically cover initial care for a TBI victim, although coverage is typically only for long-term care. Generally, no more than six weeks of inpatient rehabilitation is covered by health insurance. That is not going to be sufficient if you have suffered a TBI.
What Are The Symptoms And Effects Of TBI?
TBI is accompanied by several symptoms, such as nausea, vertigo, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, balance issues, and hearing abnormalities. Severe TBI makes conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease more likely.
The effects of TBI on a specific victim over the long term are complicated to foresee. Many TBI victims experience difficulties with memory, focus, and cognitive abilities.
When someone is struck in the head, they should get help immediately. A follow-up visit should be scheduled, and the patient must report any worsening of their condition and any new symptoms if it’s a minor traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion.
What Should You Know About Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic, hindering, and occasionally even irreversible. A quarter of a million Americans live with spinal cord injuries, and approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injuries are recorded each year.
Typically, a blow or impact to the spine that fractures, dislocates, compresses, or displaces one or more vertebrae results in severe spinal cord damage. Below the damage site, these injuries result in a decrease or loss of organ function.
Ligaments, vertebrae, spinal discs, and the spinal cord can all be harmed by spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries frequently result in permanent paralysis and may necessitate lifetime medical care that could cost more than $1 million.
It’s possible that spinal cord damage won’t be noticed or realized immediately. In the days and weeks following an accident, the spinal cord may experience edema, inflammation, bleeding, or fluid buildup.
It is critical to get medical help right away if you suffer a spinal cord injury or if you have any doubts about whether you were hurt.
Are There Other Types Of Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries can also include losing an arm or a leg, going blind or deaf, getting burned, or becoming physically disfigured.
Burn injuries can occur quickly and without warning in almost any situation. However, they are most frequently related to electrical accidents, cooking fires, hot liquids, and chemical exposure in the US.
Nearly all burn injuries in the United States are caused by human mistakes, or negligence, according to the National Fire Protection Association, and almost all burn injuries are preventable.
Who Is Liable For Catastrophic Injuries?
Learn more about the injury and how other victims manage their injuries if you suffer a catastrophic injury. Many organizations in Georgia provide assistance and resources to people who have suffered devastating injuries and their families.
According to Georgia law, if you sustain any catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your injury-related medical costs, including any time you require ongoing care, as well as for your lost wages and diminished future earning potential.
A catastrophic injury may be the responsibility of:
- a careless or drunk driver who causes you harm
- a landowner who neglects to address risks on their property and someone suffers a severe injury as a result
- any other party whose negligence causes a catastrophic injury, such as a goods maker that sells a defective consumer good
What Recourse Do Catastrophic Injury Victims Have?
Get medical care right away if you or someone you love has had, or will experience, a catastrophic injury in Georgia.
Speak with an accomplished Atlanta personal injury lawyer immediately if someone else’s negligence or carelessness brought on your injury. Avoid waiting. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better your chances are of getting the total amount of compensation you require.
How Will a Good Auto Accident Law Firm Help You?
Your lawyer will examine the specifics of your case, identify the responsible party, and then fight hard and tenaciously to win you the financial compensation you deserve and require.
Your right to assistance from a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer when you suffer a catastrophic injury that alters your life due to another person’s negligence outweighs your need to take the initial step and immediately contact the appropriate counsel.