What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury can dramatically transform a person’s life in an instant. If you’ve sustained a catastrophic injury because someone else was negligent, you may deserve compensation for the long-term losses and difficulties resulting from your injuries.

First, it’s important to understand what such injuries are and how they can affect your life. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury due to another’s negligence,  contact the catastrophic injury lawyers at Munley Law today for a free consultation.

Defining Catastrophic Injuries

What is a catastrophic injury? To some extent, that can depend on your location. Different jurisdictions have different legal definitions for catastrophic injuries. In some states, like Pennsylvania, there is no statute specifically defining these types of severe injuries.

Regardless, it’s possible to arrive at a definition of a catastrophic injury by highlighting the ways it may differ from another type of personal injury. While many types of injuries can cause lasting symptoms, an injured party may nevertheless make a full recovery with time.

Catastrophic or serious injuries are different. They can have long-term (and even permanent) impacts on a person’s life and abilities.

Unsure if your injury qualifies as catastrophic? Contact Munley Law for a free assessment.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries can take many forms. The following are common examples:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Multiple fractures and crush injuries
• Catastrophic sports injuries

If you’ve suffered any of these injuries, let Munley Law evaluate your case for maximum compensation.

Quality of Life After a Catastrophic Injury

Someone may submit a personal injury claim seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and related losses when they’re injured because of another party’s negligence. However, when a personal injury claim involves catastrophic injuries, it’s also important to consider how injuries can affect a victim’s quality of life.

For example, perhaps someone sustains a catastrophic spinal cord injury that leaves them paralyzed. Their limited mobility may now prevent them from participating in activities they once enjoyed. Or, it can simply prevent them from tending to their own needs. If they’re permanently disabled due to a spinal cord injury, they also may be unable to work and earn an income.

Such impacts on quality of life can have profound implications for someone’s mental and emotional health. They can also lead to unexpected changes in family dynamics, as someone who was once a provider may no longer be able to serve that role. Although these quality of life struggles may be difficult to quantify in financial terms, a victim may still deserve compensation for them when catastrophic injuries occur.

Ensure all aspects of your life affected by the injury are considered. Consult with a catastrophic injury attorney at Munley Law today.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

The recovery and rehabilitation period for a catastrophic or severe injury is typically longer than it is for other types of injuries. Consider the following:

• Medical treatment for catastrophic injuries is more extensive (and costly) than for other forms of injuries.
• Such injuries often leave victims in need of long-term medical care.
• Along with medical treatment, a victim of a catastrophic personal injury may also need to undergo rehabilitation.
• Various forms of therapy, including mental health therapy, may be necessary to address the effects of a catastrophic injury.
• If a catastrophic injury affects someone’s mobility, they may need to purchase accessibility equipment. Or, they may need to hire professionals to provide services they can no longer provide for themselves.

Secure the resources for your best possible recovery. Reach out to Munley Law today.

Catastrophic Workplace Injuries

Some types of occupations involve a high risk of catastrophic injury. Examples include:

• Logging
• Fishing
• Roofing
• Construction
• Steel working
• Driving
• Garbage collecting
• Farming
• Power-line installation

Those are just a few examples. An injured worker could file a workers’ compensation claim if they were injured on the job. However, workers’ comp coverage might not be sufficient in the case of a catastrophic injury.

In such instances, a worker might be able to seek additional compensation by filing a third-party liability claim or lawsuit. This is an option if their injuries resulted from the negligence of someone other than their employer.

Injured on the job? Let Munley Law help you through a complex workplace injury claim.

Compensation in Catastrophic Injury Cases

Compensation in a catastrophic injury case is often greater than in another type of personal injury case. Compensation may be available for such losses as:

• Past, current, and projected future medical expenses
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity/future income
• Associated costs, like the cost of purchasing adaptive equipment and making home modifications
• Pain and suffering

Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Contact Munley Law for a comprehensive case review.

Insurance Coverage Considerations

Catastrophic injuries often exceed the limits of a single insurance policy, so your attorney will look for multiple sources of coverage. These include personal injury protection, umbrella policies, and third-party liability coverage. Policies can sometimes be combined to increase the total coverage amount. However, many insurance policies have gaps, especially for long-term care and experimental treatments. Some policies exclude certain types of catastrophic injuries, and insurance networks may limit treatment options.

Proving Catastrophic Injury Claims

Medical evidence plays a critical role in proving catastrophic injuries. Medical evidence and testimony can show how a victim’s injuries are likely to affect them for a prolonged period.

Expert testimony can also touch on a victim’s long-term care needs. A lawyer can enlist the help of such experts when necessary.

Build a strong case with Munley Law’s experienced attorneys. Schedule your free consultation now.

Legal Challenges in Catastrophic Injury Cases

Insurance companies and liable parties often push back during negotiations in catastrophic injury cases. This is because they’re reluctant to pay the full amount victims may deserve in these circumstances.

Proving complex injuries can also involve gathering substantial evidence and conducting a thorough investigation. This adds to the complexity of a case. In addition, you have to file a lawsuit by the deadline established under the statute of limitations.

Face these challenges with confidence. Let Munley Law advocate for your rights

Catastrophic Injury Case Timelines

Because of their complexity, catastrophic injury cases take longer than typical personal injury claims. The investigation usually takes 3-6 months to gather evidence and statements. Medical assessments often require a year or more since doctors need to fully understand the injuries and predict future care needs. Negotiations with insurance companies typically last 6-12 months. If the case goes to court, it can take up to three years to resolve. Throughout this process, medical experts track changes in the victim’s condition.

Post-Settlement Financial Planning

After receiving a settlement, careful planning helps the money lasts a lifetime. Victims can choose between regular payments through a structured settlement or a single lump sum. Structured settlements offer steady income and tax benefits, while lump sums provide more control. Special needs trusts can protect the money while keeping victims eligible for government benefits like Medicaid. Financial planners can help create investment strategies that balance immediate needs with long-term care costs. Regular reviews help adjust the plan as needs change. Many victims work with a team of advisors to manage their settlement effectively.

Choose Munley Law for Your Catastrophic Injury Case

For over 65 years, the catastrophic injury attorneys at Munley Law have established themselves as trusted advocates for victims of life-altering injuries. Our highly credentialed legal team includes multiple board-certified trial lawyers who have earned recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. With our decades of experience handling complex catastrophic injury cases, we understand both the immediate and long-term impacts these injuries have on victims and their families. Our attorneys work tirelessly to secure the full compensation you deserve, combining thorough medical documentation, expert testimony, and skilled negotiation to build the strongest possible case.

We take pride in providing personalized attention to each client while leveraging our extensive resources and proven track record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. When facing a devastating catastrophic injury, choose the law firm that has been fighting for injured victims’ rights since 1959. Contact Munley Law today for your free consultation, and let our family help yours.