Personal injury lawsuits usually involve physical injuries. However, some physical injuries are so grave that they are often characterized as “catastrophic injuries.” In these types of lawsuits, the aggrieved parties have suffered injuries that are severe, permanent, and include higher damages due to expensive medical procedures, long-term medical care, and loss of earning capacity.
A Delaware County personal injury lawyer can determine if a case involves an injury that is catastrophic at the outset. Because these cases often involve higher stakes, it is important to prepare the case from the beginning so that all the issues are identified, and appropriate experts are retained.
An experienced lawyer will retain medical experts who will analyze medical records, conduct independent medical examinations, as well as psychiatric and vocational experts who will analyze the victims’ mental state and lost earning capacity. An economic expert may also be retained to analyze future non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
Catastrophic injuries involve permanent physical impairments such as traumatic brain injury, severe burns, loss of limb, organ failure, loss of vision or hearing, and spinal cord injuries. Often these cases involve complex medical procedures, several medical providers, and numerous medical records.
Usually, victims in these cases have suffered life-altering injury, cannot be made whole, and the injuries are permanent as opposed to temporary. Victims also suffer from inability to travel, enjoy hobbies, need assistance in self-care, and suffer psychologically from anxiety and depression. These victims can claim pain and suffering damages due to the emotional toll these injuries have on them.
Often, they cannot support themselves financially due to the disabilities caused from these injuries. Victims may need job retraining, as they cannot continue in their professions.
Non-Catastrophic Versus Catastrophic Injuries
Other cases where physical injuries are involved that are not as devastating involve sprains, cuts, scrapes, or whiplash during an automobile accident. Often the economic damages are loss of pay during the time the victim is recuperating. But the victim in these types of personal injury cases can go back to their old job and life activities fully restored.
Typically, accidents involving motorcycles, eighteen-wheelers, tractors, aircraft, and construction equipment cause more severe injuries. Also, cases involving pharmacy errors, defects in medical equipment, and consumer products can also cause severe injuries.
If you have been involved in a severe accident, it is important to consult a lawyer immediately so that the appropriate experts are retained to analyze your injuries and seek complete recovery for future medical care, vocational training, and pain and suffering.
Delaware County Personal Injury Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Assist with Catastrophic and Personal Injury Cases
We will evaluate your case, determine if a catastrophic injury is involved, obtain medical records, and retain necessary experts. It is important to ensure that you are getting adequate compensation in a catastrophic injury, because the effects of these injuries are often complex and unpredictable.
Our lawyers can assist you with preparing your case in order to determine all the future damages you are entitled to. With thorough preparation the Delaware County personal injury lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can successfully fight for your financial recovery. If you have questions on your personal injury case, from our offices in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we represent clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County. Contact us for a free case evaluation by calling 610-565-3701 or complete an online form today.