What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
Catastrophic injuries are severe and life-changing. The legal definition can greatly impact compensation in South Carolina personal injury claims. To ensure a fair resolution, consult our skilled Summerville personal injury attorneys at Gil Gatch Law early.
Catastrophic Injuries in Summerville
In the State of South Carolina, there isn’t a single statute that defines catastrophic injuries. Instead, each case must be evaluated in relation to the unique circumstances involved. The primary consideration is the degree to which the injury directly affects the following:
- The victim’s day-to-day life
- The physical damage and emotional trauma the victim suffers
- The victim’s ongoing ability to earn a living
If an accident leaves a victim disabled or changes their life, it likely qualifies as a catastrophic injury.
Injuries that Are Often Defined as Catastrophic
While every personal injury claim is specific to the factors involved, the following serious injuries are often defined as catastrophic:
- Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Serious burns
- Limb loss and injuries that require amputation
- Severe internal injuries
- Vision or hearing loss
- Multiple injuries
If you’ve suffered a serious injury as a result of another person or entity’s negligence, a savvy personal injury lawyer can help.
The Losses Associated with Catastrophic Injuries
The legal damages associated with catastrophic injuries fall into several primary categories, and their enormity can be difficult to overstate.
Medical Expenses
In cases of catastrophic injuries, medical costs are more likely to include ongoing expenses. These often involve assistance with activities of daily living, therapeutic care, secondary health concerns, and potentially dangerous complications.
Lost Income
Often, catastrophic injuries result in significant earnings losses. Some victims can’t return to work at all. Further, the impact of lost earning potential can be profound, and it must be effectively addressed.
Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering
Catastrophic injuries often result in significant non-economic losses that are harder to quantify than medical bills or lost wages. South Carolina law allows compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Examples include anxiety, sleep problems, mood changes, and trouble concentrating. These losses are real, compensable, and deserve attention just as economic damages do.
Our Experienced Summerville Personal Injury Lawyers Care about You and Your Claim
Being injured by someone else’s negligence puts you in a difficult position, especially if you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury. If you need determined legal representation, contact our accomplished Summerville, SC, attorneys at Gil Gatch Law today. Call 843-800-2020 or reach out online to get your case started now.