Accidents happen without warning and whatever the nature of the injury, such mishaps have an impact on the physical, financial and emotional lives of victims and their families.
However, when the injury is serious and the damage is permanent, the resulting trauma can be devastating. Catastrophic injuries may permanently prevent a person from performing any kind of gainful work, enjoying sports and recreational facilities, lead an emotionally fulfilling life and maintain social relationships.
If you or a dear one has sustained a catastrophic injury in an accident, it’s important to consult a Toronto personal injury lawyer without delay. You may be entitled to compensation.
What Constitutes A Catastrophic Injury?
It’s not easy to provide a strict legal definition of the term, but in general, catastrophic injuries are those that have significant life-altering, permanent and/or long-term consequences. They can result in disability, disfigurement or even pose a threat to life.
Such injuries require difficult and long-drawn-out treatment, and rarely does the victim regain his/her “whole” status. Complex and multiple surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, continuing medication and the need for a dedicated care-giver are some of the features that most people who suffer catastrophic injuries may have to undergo.
Common catastrophic injuries include:
Brain and spinal cord damage
TBI (traumatic brain injury)
Birth injuries
Multiple bone fracture
Organ damage
Cerebral Palsy or neurological disorders
Loss of function: limb movement, memory, sexual, excretory, reproductive, speech, hearing, vision, touch, taste, smell, etc
Amputation
Coma
Persistent vegetative state
Paralysis
Paraplegia or Quadriplegia
Severe burns
Permanent scarring
Impact of Catastrophic Injuries
These injuries also affect the person’s livelihood, independence and mobility. The personality and emotional health of the victim also suffers. They may experience panic attacks, sleep disturbances, fears and anxieties, depression, mood-swing, develop alcohol or drug dependence, aggression, suicidal or violent tendencies etc. Relationship breakdown can also result.
The financial impact can also be calamitous. If the victim contributed to the family income, the subsequent loss of income/wages can result in a serious financial crisis. The spiralling costs of medical care, assistive devices, modifications to living spaces, physical and psychological therapies etc can be a colossal burden for families to bear.
Our free consultation lawyers can evaluate your case and provide a swift, genuine and comprehensive assessment on its merits. We can help you to deal with insurance companies and claims adjusters, conduct the necessary tests and provide requisite reports to back your claim.
