California Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Find Assistance After Suffering A Catastrophic Injury

When tragedy strikes, a victim can be left feeling hopeless, alone and unsure what to do next. For minor injuries and accidents, that is generally easily remedied. The steps to take and time to recover are well-established, and in most cases, life eventually resumes at its normal pace. However, in the case of catastrophic injuries, such as those that can result from motorcycle accidents, navigating the path to recovery becomes significantly more complex. In these situations, seeking the assistance of experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can make a substantial difference.

In the case of a catastrophic injury, it helps to have someone at your side who can help. Neale & Fhima have more than 40 years of experience aggressively serving the people of Southern California from offices in Dana Point, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Neale & Fhima have the experience and the resources to make sure you or a loved one receives the compensation you deserve after a catastrophic injury.

Defining Catastrophic Injury

There is no single definition that defines a catastrophic injury. Any injury may seem catastrophic to the person who suffers it. However, in most cases, a catastrophic injury is one that debilitates the victim, causes permanent harm and at times leaves the person incapable of work. They may often be similar to more minor injuries, differing only in severity. Examples of catastrophic injuries include those resulting from train accidents. If you or a loved one have experienced such an injury, it’s important to consult a train injury lawyer to understand your legal options and seek the compensation you deserve. This ensures that your rights are protected while navigating the complexities of such cases:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBIs occur when the brain receives a severe trauma. These sorts of injuries are not only dangerous physically, but can also affect a person’s ability to think, remember and comprehend what is happening in their environment, and they can sometimes even change the individual’s personality. TBIs are more common than most people think – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that more than 1.5 million people suffer from moderate to severe brain injuries. The CDC also estimates that 50,000 TBI victims die each year, while 85,000 suffer long-term injury. Overall, 5.3 million Americans suffer from TBIs.

Most Common Causes of TBI:

• Workplace Accidents
• Construction Accidents
• Slip-and-Fall Accidents
• Motor Vehicle Accidents

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

Spinal cord injuries can be especially devastating. Because the spinal cord is the main conduit for information from the brain to the rest of the body, any SCI can have serious consequences, including paralysis, and can severely debilitate the victim and every aspect of his life. New techniques have been created in the last decade in an attempt to address spinal cord injuries, including lowering body temperature to slow body functions and keep more damage from occurring. Nevertheless, spinal injuries are still some of the most debilitating of all injuries. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that roughly 300,000 people in the U.S. have an SCI, with 17,000 cases being reported each year. The average age of an SCI sufferer is 42.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Acts of violence
• Sports and recreation injuries
• Alcohol
• Diseases.

Paralysis

Paralysis occurs when, because of an accident, disease or another reason, a part of the body is incapable of movement. There are several types overall, but for severe paralysis there are two main types.  Paraplegia is when the arms or legs cease to function; quadriplegia is the term applied when no limbs function. ABC News reports that one in 50 Americans suffer from some sort of paralysis.

The United Kingdom’s >National Health Service suggests the most common causes of paralysis include:

• Stroke
• Head Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Multiple Sclerosis

Organ Damage

Serious accidents can cause internal injuries that are not visible and thus may be initially overlooked, increasing the danger of a catastrophic outcome. The lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and intestines may be bruised or punctured, leading to hemorrhage and requiring medical treatment and/or surgery.

Catastrophic Sports Injury

Catastrophic injuries while playing sports are generally uncommon, but they do occur despite the best efforts of leagues and coaches to emphasize safety, especially in contact sports such as football and soccer. The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research at The University of North Carolina defines a catastrophic sports injury as: “Fatalities, permanent disability injuries, serious injuries (fractured neck or serious head injury) even though the athlete has a full recovery, temporary or transient paralysis (athlete has no movement for a short time, but has a complete recovery), heat stroke due to exercise, or sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac or severe cardiac disruption.” The center monitors injuries at all levels of athletics, compiling information about trends in sports injuries and ways to improve safety in sports. Results of this research have improved safety at all level of sports, including  rule changes in football to protect players as much as possible against potential head injuries.

Most Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Motor Vehicle Accidents –Catastrophic injuries are an unfortunately common result of vehicle crashes. According to the NHTSA, there were roughly 6,296,000 vehicle accidents reported in the United States in 2015 alone, resulting in 35,092 deaths and with 2.44 million people injured. If you or a loved one have been affected by such an incident, seeking guidance from experienced car crash attorneys can provide you with the necessary legal support and representation. 

Most Common Auto Accident Injuries:

• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Head Wounds
• Neck and Back Injuries
• Chest Injuries
• Limb Damage

Other common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Workplace Injuries
• Intentional Violence
• Slip and Fall Accidents

Damages

If a person is catastrophically injured due to the actions or inactions of another, they may often sue for damages. Because of the nature of the injuries and their long-term effects, according to Justia Legal Resources, damages may include:

• Medical Expenses
• Lost Income
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses
• Property Damages
• Pain and Suffering
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Mental Anguish
• Permanent Disability
• Disfigurement

Neale & Fhima has been serving residents of California for more than 40 years and offers free consultations. We do not charge for services unless you win your claim. To speak directly with one of our attorneys, call (888) 407-2955 or request your free consultation online.