Everything You Need to Know About Catastrophic Injuries in California (Symptoms, Lawyers, & More)
Thousands of California citizens are hurt every year in accidents that are no fault of their own. These injuries may result from workplace accidents, automobile crashes, falls, or other unexpected incidents. Some of these injuries are life-changing and catastrophic
Catastrophic injuries result from direct damage to the brain and/or spinal cord. These injuries may result in serious, life-long complications. We examine the different types of catastrophic injuries and what to do if you suffer from an accident that results in serious injury.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
There are numerous types of catastrophic injuries that may result from a serious car accident or fall.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Neck/Spinal Cord Injuries
- Damage to Internal Organs
- Burns
- Amputations
The most common types of catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are one of the most common types of catastrophic injuries that can occur. TBIs can result from any injury to the head, including blow or penetrating injury. Over 64,00 people die annually from a TBI.
Survivors of these injuries suffer from long-term or lifelong health complications that are often compared to effects of chronic illness.
Types of TBI Include:
- Mild TBI
- Moderate TBI
- Severe TBI
30% of patients who suffer from a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury experience worsened symptoms over a 5-year time frame.
Signs of Mild TBI/Concussion
Mild TBIs, or concussions, lead to numerous immediate symptoms after occurs from a fall, automobile accident, or another cause of blunt force trauma to the head occurs.
Immediate symptoms of a Concussion Include:
- Impaired Senses
- Cognitive Impairment
- Extreme Pain
- Vomiting
It is impossible to gauge the severity of a head injury without the attention of a medical professional. Do not underestimate the severity of these injuries.
It is imperative that you seek medical attention any time you believe that a brain injury may have occurred. These incidents can lead to deadly bruising and swelling of the brain. Fatalities often occur days after the TBI-causing accident occurred.
Symptoms of Moderate to Severe TBI Include:
- Difficulty thinking clearly and communicating
- Memory Issues
- Trouble Concentrating
- Vision and/or Hearing Difficulties
- Coordination/Balance Issues
- Weakness Arms/Legs
Victims of moderate to severe TBI may also experience changes in behavior and moods, including overwhelming sadness, depression, anger, anxiety, impulsiveness, or other troubling emotional symptoms.
Neck/Spinal Cord Injuries
Falls and automobile accidents can cause injuries to the head, neck, and/or back that compromise the body’s spinal cord.
Signs of Spinal Cord Injuries Include:
- Loss of Movement
- Loss of Bladder/Bowel Control
- Spasms
- Extreme Pain/Tingling
- Difficulty Breathing
- Balance/Coordination Issues
Neck and spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis that affects the of use of bodily limbs and the torso. These injuries may require lifelong care and assistance in victims’ daily life.
Costs of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries have devastating effects on the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of accident victims throughout California. Victims of these accidents may no longer be able to work in their previous employment and may require ongoing medical care.
The effects of these injuries costs victims more than financial damages. Victims of catastrophic injuries may suffer with depression, anxiety, and other conditions that affect their quality of life.
What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury
1. Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention immediately after any type of accident occurs that has the potential to result in catastrophic injuries. Many of the symptoms of serious injuries do not present themselves until several days after an accident has occurred.
Seeking medical attention immediately is critical for evaluating the extent of these injuries and decreasing the likelihood of complications.
2. Contact a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Contact a personal injury lawyer that specializes in catastrophic injury cases immediately if you have suffered injuries at the fault of another person or organization. You may be due compensation for these injuries. Common catastrophic personal injury cases result from falls on another person/organization’s property and motor vehicle accidents.
Contact James McKiernan Lawyers Today
Contact James McKiernan Lawyers today if you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries and/or death as a result of another person’s negligence. Compensation may be due for medical bills, ongoing care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. You deserve the best personal injury legal team fighting for you.
James McKiernan Lawyers understand the physical, financial and emotional toll that catastrophic injuries take on their clients. James McKiernan has been helping clients along California’s Central Coast for 50+ years and recovered over $300,000 in compensation. Contact James McKiernan Lawyers today to discuss your case.
