In the world of personal injury law, there are many different injuries that individuals can sustain, all stemming from acts of negligence. It is difficult for anyone to endure, especially when it impacts certain aspects of the injured individual’s life.

While anyone who sustains an injury may consider the harm they sustained serious, the law looks at only so many types of injuries and considers them catastrophic for the amount of impact they have on the victim.

It’s important to understand exactly what injuries are considered catastrophic by law and any person who suffers one of these injuries due to negligence has specific rights to pursue legal action against the responsible party to seek compensation and justice.

Here are the injuries that are considered catastrophic, as well as the potential causes, and what options victims have moving forward.

The Serious Nature of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Imagine life changing in the blink of an eye because of someone else’s actions. This is a common situation in the instance of a traumatic brain injury. These are some of the most serious types of injuries a person can sustain because of the potential impact they can have on the victims’ lives.

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a number of different situations, which can include motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc., sports injuries, slip and falls, workplace injuries, and even acts of violence such as assault.

Not all brain injuries are alike, and there are so many different things to consider. Was the brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen because of strangulation? Did something puncture through the skull and into the brain? Or did trauma cause the brain to contact the skill, resulting in serious damage?

Whatever the situation, a traumatic brain injury is referred to as a catastrophic injury because of the long-term impact that it has on the person who sustains the injury. A traumatic brain injury can cause the individual to experience developmental delays, lack of cognitive abilities, problems with memory loss, headaches, and more.

Spinal Cord Injuries—A Lifelong Damage

Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic because of the lifelong impact they can have on the victims and their families. You often hear about spinal cord injuries, but there are very few individuals who are aware of the different types of spinal cord injuries and how they cause harm.

Spinal cord injuries can vary and range anywhere from damaged discs to nerve damage to complete paralysis. These are all serious issues that can impact a person’s physical abilities, including the most severe causing the victim to lose mobility in all four limbs.

These are serious issues are often the result of negligence, especially in situations where the victim slips and falls, is involved in a car crash, and in matters of assault. In fact, slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, often leaving the individual dealing with the effects for a long time.

If negligence is involved, individuals may need to take action to pursue compensation for the damages associated with the spinal cord injury, which can include multiple medical procedures, the need for special medical equipment, and even changes to the home, vehicle, and lifestyle.

How Bad are Serious Burn Injuries?

One of the more complicated situations involves burn injuries because there can be many different causes, including some natural elements such as when individuals sustain a sun burn. However, there are some instances in which negligence can cause a catastrophic burn.

When it comes to the most serious burn injuries, the individual can sustain life-threatening or life-altering damages. This can include damage to all layers of the skin, including the fat under the skin, muscle, nerves, and internal organs.

Burn injuries can be caused by scalding hot items or liquids, chemicals, fires, and more. While many may look at these as natural in certain occupations or situations, they should also be handled with care and individuals should be safe from harm.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and individuals are put at serious risk. When this happens, those responsible for burns are accountable for the significant injuries they cause. It’s important for those harmed to understand where negligence exists in order to pursue the compensation they need.

Getting Legal Help After a Catastrophic Injury

Following a serious and catastrophic injury, it’s important for victims to seek compensation with the help of a skilled legal professional who understands negligence and liability. Hire someone who can build a strong case on your behalf to hold the negligent party accountable.

At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, we’re committed to the rights of our clients every step of the way after a catastrophic injury. Our goal is to help you obtain not only compensation, but also look to obtain the justice you deserve.

Our Atlanta catastrophic injury attorneys are here for you when you need us most. You should focus on your own recovery—we’ll handle the legal complexities. We offer free consultations, so you can learn more about what rights you have before we start moving forward. We have helped recover over $400 million on behalf of our past clients, so you know you’re getting a firm with a track record of success.

Call us today at (888) 425-6070 and speak with a skilled advocate about your rights and options. This can give you the peace of mind you need so you can move forward after a catastrophic injury in the most positive manner possible.