Some injuries are more serious than others. Comparisons often do more harm than good, as people may find themselves competing for the worst outcome. That being said, the ability to classify injuries based on their severity is important for those who get hurt.
Whether someone incurs an injury due to a slip-and-fall at a store or a car crash, they may require financial compensation based on the impact their injuries generate. Certain factors, including the three outlined below, may serve as indicators that an injury is catastrophic rather than a minor setback for the affected person.
The severity of the initial symptoms
The extent of the symptoms generated by the initial trauma is an important consideration. The more debilitating injury symptoms are, the more costly it may be to treat their injury. Catastrophic injuries often require emergency transportation to medical facilities and immediate medical interventions. Surgery, blood transfusions and life support are all sometimes necessary for people with catastrophic injuries.
The duration of the symptoms
Some injuries are initially severe but then lead to a rapid recovery. For example, an individual with a fractured femur may experience intense pain and restrictive functional limitations for the first few weeks after they get hurt. However, they may regain full functionality within a matter of a few months. On the other hand, if the fracture is comminuted or an open fracture, the injured party may forever have limited functional capabilities and pain symptoms because of the damage to their body. Injuries that produce lifelong symptoms are more likely to fall into the catastrophic category than those that are only temporary.
The financial impact of the injury
Another factor that makes a catastrophic injury distinct is how severe and long-lasting the financial impact it causes can be. For example, those with spinal cord injuries may have tens of thousands of dollars in medical care needs every year for the rest of their lives. They may also experience significant reductions in their earning potential and an ongoing need to pay for accommodations to make housing and vehicles accessible. When an injury has an immediate and lasting negative financial impact, it may qualify as a catastrophic injury.
Frequently, those with catastrophic injuries can’t just file insurance claims. They need to pursue more thorough compensation by initiating a personal injury lawsuit. Recognizing when an injury is severe enough to warrant litigation can help people mitigate the lasting impacts of an injury.