There is no specific definition of a “catastrophic injury,” however, most medical professionals and attorneys agree that any injury that significantly alters the victim’s life is considered catastrophic. Serious, catastrophic injuries include things like spinal cord injuries and paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, amputation, severe burns, and loss of vision/hearing. Such injuries can affect everything from a person’s mobility to their ability to work to their expected lifespan.

Many doctors and attorneys use the phrase “lifetime care costs” to refer to the total expected future costs associated with a victim’s catastrophic injuries. Unlike many others who suffer relatively minor injuries, catastrophic injury victims may never make a full recovery. They will likely require extensive, ongoing treatment and care for the remainder of their lives. Lifetime care costs can include things like physical rehabilitation, long-term in-home care, medical equipment, pain management programs, alterations to homes and vehicles, and more. The catastrophic injury lawyers at The Ammons Law Firm take into account the full lifetime care costs of our clients and seek maximum compensation to cover all projected future expenses.

When a person suffers catastrophic injuries, they aren’t always the only one affected. Often, their family members and loved ones will also need to alter their lives in order to accommodate the victim’s new disabilities and needs. These costs—such as expenses associated with in-home medical care, handicap-accessible transportation, and alterations to homes—are often included in the lifetime care costs of the victim. However, when catastrophic injuries ultimately prove fatal, the surviving family members may be able to seek compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. To learn more, speak to an attorney at our firm during a free consultation.