How Do You Know if Your Injury is Catastrophic?

While Florida employs a no-fault system for car accidents, this doesn’t apply to those accidents that cause victims to suffer catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries refer to serious injuries that can generally be described as life-altering, and a better understanding of this categorization can afford you a better understanding of your own car accident claim. Further, if you suffer a catastrophic injury in another kind of accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a slip and fall accident, the serious nature of your injuries will impact your claim. If you have concerns about whether the injuries you’ve suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence are catastrophic, it’s time to consult with an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney.

Catastrophic Injuries

In Florida, catastrophic injuries are defined as those that lead to permanent or long-lasting conditions that fall into one of the following categories:

A disability
An impairment
Scarring or another form of disfigurement

The primary characteristic of catastrophic injuries in the state is that they are considered life-changing and may interfere with your ability to earn a living or to enjoy life to the same degree you did prior to the accident.

Catastrophic injuries are generally divided into the following three basic forms:

Physical injuries, such as organ damage, serious burns, and limb loss or injuries that require amputation
Serious spinal cord injuries that come with serious losses in relation to range of motion and can cause paralysis
Brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that lead to cognitive impairments, emotional impairments, or both

Increased Losses

The losses associated with catastrophic injuries are heightened and can include all the following:

Medical bills that are likely to stretch into your future and may include the need for assistance with the activities of daily living, home health care, and beyond
Lost income related to career losses – if you’re able to return to work at all
Physical and emotional pain and suffering, which is amplified in the wake of life-altering injuries and can easily eclipse the rest of your losses combined

If someone else’s negligence causes you to suffer a catastrophic injury, bringing your strongest claim will help to ensure that your compensation is equal to the task of supporting your fullest recovery possible. And for that, you’ll want a practiced personal injury attorney in your corner.

Consult with an Experienced Tampa Personal Injury Attorney Today

The defining characteristic of catastrophic injuries is that they alter victims’ lives, which translates to immense physical, financial, and emotional losses. If you suffer such an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, the well-respected personal injury attorneys at Mickey Keenan P.A. – proudly serving Tampa – are poised to harness the full force of their imposing legal skill in focused pursuit of a settlement or court award that honors your most complete recovery. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t delay reaching out and contacting us online or calling 813-669-5471 for more information about what we can do for you today.