What makes a catastrophic injury or serious injury case different from the average personal injury case?

Catastrophic injury cases can be different than the average personal injury claim because of the amount of compensation that may be awarded.

While a person who sustained an “average” personal injury may have to deal with broken bones or cuts that eventually heal, a catastrophic injury may be permanent and/or require extensive medical treatment. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, Colorado injury attorneys can help with your case.

Recovering Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case

While a standard injury claim may result in your actual losses and some pain and suffering, it is not unusual for juries to give millions to those who sustain serious injury as the result of another party’s negligence.

In an injury case, there are three types of damages you may receive:

• special;
• general; and
• punitive.

Special damages compensate the plaintiff for out-of-pocket expenses such as:

• the emergency room bills;
• the cost of a home healthcare workers; and
• loss of income before the trial.

Figuring out the amount of special damages you are owed is relatively simple because it is a matter of adding up all of your actual expenses and estimated future expenses.

General damages in a serious injury case can be quite large, as these cover intangible losses such as:

• pain and suffering;
• diminished quality of life; and
• lost earning capacity for the future.

Often, these damages are based on the special damages amount, but your attorney may argue that you deserve more. Punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party; however, these are typically only awarded if the defendant caused intentional harm or was grossly negligent.

Causes of Catastrophic Injury

Serious injuries can be caused by a number of incidents such as vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, and even violent assaults. Even sports accidents can result in life-altering injuries.

In fact, the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research found that in 2011, 22 football players — ranging from high school to professional – sustained head or neck injuries and had a full neurological recovery. However, 14 high school and youth players sustained brain injuries with incomplete recovery.

While the types of catastrophic injuries vary, they all have one thing in common; these injuries can have a significant impact on the victim for several years or even the rest of his or her life.

Some forms of serious injury can include:

• blindness;
• amputation;
• nerve damage;
• brain trauma;
• severe or extensive burns;
• spinal cord damage; and
• paralysis.

All of these injuries may require long-term medical treatment that becomes expensive over time. In addition, people who sustain catastrophic damage may be unable to work or their earning capacity may be diminished, resulting in the loss of lifetime income.

Speak with Colorado Injury Attorneys Today

Proving a personal injury claim and establishing the amount of compensation to which you may be entitled can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, a Colorado injury attorney at D.J. Banovitz Personal Injury Law can review your claim and assist you as you file a claim to recover compensation you need to recover.

To get in touch with our office, please call 303-300-5060 to schedule a free initial consultation regarding your catastrophic injury claim.