What Makes an Injury Catastrophic in Pennsylvania?
A catastrophic injury is any life-altering physical injury that causes long-term impairment. Catastrophic injuries can occur as a result of a car accident, animal attack, or defective product, resulting in permanent disabilities. Catastrophic injury victims often require long-term care, which also impacts their emotional health.
With ongoing medical costs and an inability to work, catastrophic injuries can certainly affect a person’s life trajectory. At Conlon Tarker, P.C., we know that a catastrophic injury impacts not just the individual but every member of their immediate family. That is why our Forest County serious injury attorneys will work tenaciously to secure the compensation you desperately need.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any strike or blow to the head can disrupt normal brain function, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. More than 80,000 individuals suffer some form of permanent disability after a TBI, severely reducing the quality of their lives. Symptoms of a TBI include nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headaches, and irritability. While many TBI victims recover within a few weeks, others may experience long-term cognitive, behavioral, and physical deficits.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Motor vehicle crashes account for about 38% of traumatic spinal cord injuries reported in the United States, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. The spinal cord is comprised of a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain to the tailbone. If any portion of this cord is compromised, it can impair your brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of the body. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may present as tingling/numbness, loss of bladder and/or bowel control, loss of function below the site of injury, permanent changes in strength, and difficulty breathing.
Burn Injuries
A space heater that spontaneously catches fire, misuse of a chemical substance in a factory, or a ruptured fuel line can cause severe burns. Burn symptoms may include charred or leathery skin, redness or swelling, peeling or blistering skin, fever, and dizziness. Burns that affect all three layers of the skin or more than 20% of your total body surface area require medical intervention. Severe burns impact the body’s ability to regulate temperature and deliver oxygen to vital organs. Burns that impact all three layers of skin or more than 20% of your total body surface require immediate medical intervention.
Chest Injuries
Any impact to the chest can compromise vital organs, leading to a medical emergency. Often seen in motor vehicle crashes and slip-and-falls, a chest injury may include fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, or cardiac injuries. Symptoms may include respiratory distress, severe chest pain, or fainting. In a crash, chest trauma is most commonly caused by airbag deployment, seatbelt abrasions, or forceful contact with the steering wheel.
Amputations
Loss of a limb or body part can require an individual to receive long-term care. In addition to physical limitations, a person may suffer permanent disfigurement, affecting their emotional and mental health. Besides hospitalization and rehabilitation, lifelong expenses include prostheses, replacement parts, and home modifications (which will continuously change as a person ages).
Determining Compensation in a PA Catastrophic Accident
Pennsylvania law defines a serious bodily injury as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, loss of function, or the loss of a limb or body part. At Conlon Tarker, P.C., our catastrophic injury lawyers will assess the following factors to determine the worth of your accident case:
- The extent and severity of your injuries
- If you suffered any long-term effects or permanent disability
- Your mobility and your ability to care for your daily needs
- The length and difficulty of recovery
- Your emotional and mental state
- Your ability to turn to work
- Your degree of fault
The insurance company is sure to assign you greater liability than warranted to avoid paying on your claim. Although the Commonwealth permits injured parties financial recovery as long as they are 50% or less responsible, any degree of fault will reduce your compensation. When medical bills are piling up quickly, you cannot afford to receive a lower settlement. To ensure that you have a strong advocate in your corner, contact our legal team today.
Injured? Speak with Our Forest County Serious Injury Attorneys
If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, you deserve fair compensation to meet your basic needs. The ongoing costs associated with a catastrophic or serious injury can place a financial burden on you and your loved ones. Thankfully, our Forest County serious injury lawyers are prepared to advocate aggressively on your behalf. To schedule your free consultation, contact Conlon Tarker, P.C., online or by phone at (724) 285-7700.
