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When involved in a motor vehicle collision or any other traumatic accident, victims often sustain injuries of various degrees as a result. However, often in severe accidents, these victims may suffer from extensive injuries that lead to fatal outcomes.
While experiencing any injury can severely impact anyone's life and overall well-being, catastrophic injuries are those that have a long-term and sometimes permanent impact on a victim's life as well as their family's life.
They often require extensive and expensive medical treatment, can cause long-term disability, and may lead to death. An injury is generally classified as "catastrophic" when it occurs suddenly and the victim is left with debilitating symptoms that they cannot recover from. Our Tulsa personal injury attorneys discuss the most common catastrophic injuries and what may cause these severe ailments.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury is a sudden injury that causes damage to the brain; it is one of the most severe types of catastrophic injuries. It can severely impact an individual's cognitive, emotional, behavioral, psychological, physical, and mental components. In cases where a TBI is so severe, it can have a significant impact on everyday functions, making it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks.
Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can range from mild to moderate to severe, depending on the cause and severity of the impact. However, nonetheless, these serious injuries can lead to long-term complications, disability, or death.
A TBI can happen when there is a brutal force such as a jolt, bump, or blow to the head. Common accidents that can cause a TBI can include:
Car accident.
Falls.
Assault or any other type of domestic violence.
Explosive blasts in combat.
Spinal Injuries
A spinal cord injury refers to severe damage to the spinal cord and the nervous system, resulting in a temporary or permanent impact on an individual's movement, strength, sensation, and bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries are among the most horrific types of catastrophic injuries that someone can suffer from because this injury can lead to very debilitating and cause extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifelong recovery.
The spinal cord is one of the most critical components of the body and controlsmotor function, organ function, and mobility. Spinal cord damage can lead to devastating outcomes in a victim's life, such as paraplegia (paralysis from the waist down) or quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down). Spinal cord injuries can result from severe damage to the vertebrae or the spine itself, leading to devastating complications. However, many traumatic events can lead to this kind of damage, including:
Falls.
Pedestrian accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents.
Bicycle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents.
Diseases such as cancer, arthritis, inflammation, etc.
Loss of Limbs/Amputation
Limb loss may have different causes depending on various factors such as congenital disabilities, cancer, or physical injuries. However, amputation is the loss or removal of part of the body, and it can be a life-altering event affecting a person's day-to-day functions. An individual can be involved in a traumatic accident and sustain a traumatic amputation, where a body part was cut off or torn away in an accident, resulting in limited mobility.
However, if a person suffers from a disease, severe infection, or has a body part that endangers their life, it may be removed by surgical amputation. Losing a body part is one of the most severe types of injuries a victim can sustain; depending on the nature of the amputation, the individual may have to undergo extensive surgeries, physical rehabilitation, and occupational therapy. Although there are numerous instances where amputation injuries can occur, there are incidents where it is more common.
Traumatic accidents such as motor vehicle collisions.
Workplace incidents such as construction accidents.
Loss of limb caused by disease such as cancer, infection, diabetes, etc.
Medical mistakes.
Catastrophic Injury Prevention
Although it can be difficult to predict an accident, there are a few factors that can help you reduce your chances of sustaining a catastrophic injury. Here are some safety tips to consider to prevent a catastrophic injury:
Wear protective equipment at work.
Following Health and Safety guidelines at work.
Securing seatbelt while driving.
Educate workers on safety training requirements to avoid an injury.
Take necessary safety precautions and always be aware of your surroundings.
Contact a Tulsa Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Brewster & De Angelis has over 40 years of protecting the rights of the wrongfully injured in Oklahoma. If you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury, we understand the severity of your situation, and our dedicated team is here to help you every step of the way. Our attorneys have earned a reputation for providing compassionate, client-focused representation and helping our clients recover the compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one have sustained a catastrophic injury, contact us today at [[INVALID_TOKEN]] to schedule a free case consultation.