What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury? [2025 Guide]

The term “catastrophic injury” is often used to describe personal injuries that cause significant, even permanent harm to the victim, but what is considered a catastrophic injury? Generally, this term is reserved for injuries that result in permanent disability, disfigurement, and/or diminished ability to work and/or live independently. If you have sustained this kind of injury, you should hire a catastrophic injury lawyer who can help you pursue accountability.

Most Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Whenever one party’s actions result in harm to another party, it can form the foundation of a personal injury case. Every state has unique laws for filing these cases and the damages that injured victims may claim. However, when a personal injury causes any kind of permanent harm, the victim must have experienced legal counsel on their side to ensure maximum compensation for their economic and non-financial damages.

Some of the most commonly cited forms of catastrophic injuries in the United States include:

• Traumatic brain injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are roughly 600 brain injury hospitalizations and nearly 200 brain injury-related deaths in the United States every day. Brain injuries can occur from motor vehicle crashes, falls, injuries at work, or even result from negligent medical care.
• Severe burns. Burns are not only extremely painful, but they also have a high chance of resulting in permanent scarring. Some burns require difficult skin grafting procedures, and it is possible for these injuries to not only cause significant physical complications but also severe psychological damage.
• Spinal cord injuries. These are potentially life-changing injuries, and any damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, there are approximately 18,000 spinal cord injury cases that are diagnosed each year in the United States. Some victims of these injuries will be unable to work or live independently.
• Amputation injuries. The loss of a digit or limb is not only physically traumatic and debilitating, but it can also cause deep psychological harm. Some victims of amputation injuries are able to adjust to prosthetic devices and other assistive medical devices, but these are still life-changing injuries that entail substantial economic and non-financial damages.

In any accident that results in a catastrophic injury such as these, it is also likely for the victim to suffer additional injuries. While they may be less serious, they can significantly complicate recovery, and it is possible for even seemingly minor injuries to present various significant, even permanent complications. It’s also possible for the accidents that result in life-changing injuries to present difficult questions of liability.

Ultimately, any personal injury that causes permanent harm can qualify as catastrophic. When you have suffered an injury due to another party’s actions, it is crucial to hire a catastrophic injury lawyer to help you hold them accountable and recover compensation for your damages.

Filing a Catastrophic Injury Claim

If you believe another party is responsible for causing a catastrophic injury, an experienced attorney can help you file a personal injury case against them, seeking compensation for your damages. With the right attorney handling your case, it is possible to get recompense for any economic and non-financial damages you suffered due to the defendant’s actions.

A successful personal injury case can potentially yield compensation for immediate and future medical expenses, lost income, lost future earning capacity, and the pain and suffering the injury has caused. You need to hire a catastrophic injury lawyer right away to have the greatest chance of not only winning this case, but also of maximizing your recovery. Reach out to The Tolson Firm, LLC, to learn how we can assist you with your case.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Catastrophic Injury?

A: Proving fault for a catastrophic injury usually requires various forms of evidence as well as witness testimony from anyone who saw the injury happen. For example, if your catastrophic injury happened in a car accident, an attorney could gather police reports, photos of the crash scene, testimony from other drivers who witnessed the accident, and various forms of digital evidence to help you prove fault.

Q: How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Catastrophic Injury?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim for a catastrophic injury usually depends on the severity of the injury and the scope of its significant, even permanent effects. You may have grounds to claim compensation for immediate and future medical expenses, lost wages, and for the future income you are no longer able to earn. Additionally, you also have the right to seek compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma.

Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for Causing My Personal Injury?

A: If you share fault for causing your personal injury, you will need to hire an attorney who can help you understand your state’s laws for comparative or contributory negligence. In a comparative negligence state, you may be able to recover compensation if you are only partially at fault and less at fault than the defendant, but contributory negligence states do not allow plaintiffs to recover compensation if they are found partially liable for causing their injuries.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?

A: You should hire a catastrophic injury lawyer to maximize your chances of success with the case. Even if the liability for your accident seems clear, the reality is that you could encounter a host of unexpected complications that you will not know how to resolve on your own. You will need a seasoned attorney’s help to not only prove fault, but also to accurately calculate the full scope of the damages you are able to claim and to resolve your case efficiently.

The team at The Tolson Firm, LLC, can provide comprehensive legal support if you have suffered a catastrophic injury in Georgia. Our firm has successfully recovered many substantial case awards for past clients, and Audrey Tolson is a proud black attorney with a strong record of successful personal injury representation in the most challenging cases. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn about how we can help you with your recovery.