In personal injury law, it’s important to understand the difference between regular and catastrophic injury. Catastrophic injury encompasses several specific injuries that are considered severe or life-altering. Here are four of the most common catastrophic injuries.
Amputations
If an injury becomes so severe that the body part loses circulation or becomes disfigured, an amputation may be necessary to prevent injury to the rest of the body. In other cases, an incident can result in the loss of a body part, including an arm, foot or hand.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
As the name suggests, traumatic brain injuries result from a sudden trauma or impact to the head. These can occur as a result of a motorcycle accident, car crash, violence or fall from a great height. Symptoms can include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Cognitive issues
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with speech
- Blurred vision
- Issues with concentration or memory
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can result in paralysis. Depending on how severe this catastrophic injury is, the paralysis can be either partial or total. Partial paralysis means that only a certain part of the body is immobile, such as the lower extremities. Because the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages throughout the body, an injury prevents it from telling the body what to do.
Burn Injuries
Accidents such as electrocutions, explosions and fires can result in burn injuries. While minor burns can cause symptoms such as swelling, pain and peeling, more severe burns penetrate the skin and can also impact tissue, muscle and nerves. Severe burns may require surgery or skin grafts to close the wound and improve mobility.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered from a catastrophic injury due to the negligence of another individual, contact Brophy Law Office to file a Wisconsin personal injury case. Our team of skilled professionals will evaluate the details of your case, confidently walk you through each step of the process and develop a strong defense against the prosecution.
