What Types of Damages Are Typically Available in Catastrophic Injury Cases?

 Posted on February 08, 2021 in Personal Injury

Some injuries occur in a split second but result in lifelong consequences. If you or a loved one have suffered a catastrophic injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Compensation for the financial harm caused by the catastrophic injury as well as the non-financial consequences of the injury may be available. Because a catastrophic injury has such a profound impact on the injured person, these cases are usually higher value than cases involving milder injuries. If you are interested in bringing a personal injury claim after a catastrophic injury, it is important to work with an attorney who has experience handling high value cases.

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

Although painful, people eventually recover from injuries such as broken bones and lacerations. A catastrophic injury, on the other hand, is one that can affect a person for the rest of his or her life. Catastrophic injuries are injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability or loss of functioning.

Common examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Severe traumatic brain injuries
• Spine injuries resulting in paralysis
• Loss of a limb
• Severe burn injuries
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Injuries causing substantial disfigurement
• Injuries that leave a person unable to work
• Injuries that require permanent medical or nursing care

Economic Damages You May Be Entitled to for a Catastrophic Injury

Through a personal injury claim, you may be compensated for past and future medical expenses. This includes your initial hospital bills as well as ongoing medical needs including in-home care, rehabilitative care such as physical therapy, and nursing home care. Compensation for medical devices such as a wheelchair or prosthetic limb and modifications to your home or vehicle needed to accommodate your disability may also be available. You may also recover financial compensation for your lost wages and, if the injury has permanently reduced your ability to work, your lost earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages for a Catastrophic Injury

There is no amount of money that is great enough to compensate someone for the loss of a limb, a severely disfiguring burn, or the loss of the ability to walk. However, monetary compensation is typically the only available legal remedy for catastrophic injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for the non-financial losses caused by the catastrophic injury, including your:

• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical pain
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement

Contact an Orland Park Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

 A catastrophic injury is one that results in long-term disability or impairment. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical needs, pain and suffering, and more. Contact a Cook County personal injury lawyer from Schwartz Injury Law to discuss your case. Call us at 708-888-2160 to set up a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/IL_IPI_Civil.pdf