Severity and Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are those injuries that come completely out of the blue and turn people’s worlds upside down, leaving them with life-changing, long-term consequences. All types of catastrophic injuries are severe.

In the following post, we will explore some of the different types. Firstly, let us take a look at the causes of catastrophic injuries.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/wheelchair-disability-paraplegic-1595802/ 

The Causes of Catastrophic Injuries 

There are limitless causes for a variety of catastrophic injuries. Accidents are the most common cause, but things like attacks and natural disasters can also cause life-changing injuries.

Accidents include things like sports accidents, defective products, boating accidents, and accidents at the workplace. Auto accidents are, unfortunately, also all too common and can leave people with serious injuries. 

At least people who have car accidents and end up with catastrophic injuries can make claims for damages to help cover things like current and future medical expenses and loss of earnings.

This may even include being involved in an accident with a negligent Uber driver. For example, there are attorneys available who specialize in this type of claim such as Stewart J. Guss in New Orleans. If you find yourseful in such a situation, this can help ease your financial burden and gain a fair compensation package. 

Different Types of Catastrophic Injuries

There are numerous types of severe catastrophic injuries. They include neurological damage, crush damage, loss of hearing, and paralysis.

Let us take a look at four serious catastrophic injuries, nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, eye injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, in more detail. 

1. Nerve Damage

Nerve damage means your nerves no longer receive signals from your brain to transmit sensation, so you lose feeling in the affected part of your body. 

Partially damaged nerves can heal themselves, though, and surgical nerve repairs are possible. But sometimes, nerve damage cannot be repaired. That typically happens when the nerve is completely cut. 

There are many signs of nerve damage. They include regularly dropping items you are holding, having numbness in your hands and feet, experiencing muscle weakness, and having a buzzing sensation that is like a mild electric shock.

2. Spinal Cord Injury 

Car accidents, trampoline accidents, and falls from heights are just some of the accidents that can cause spinal cord injuries. 

Depending on where the injury occurs and the severity of the injury, you could end up not having control of your limbs. 

An injury to the spinal canal usually causes permanent changes in your sensations, strength, and other body functions. Spinal cord injuries can also affect you mentally and emotionally. 

Spinal cord injuries are often debilitating. Depending upon the severity of the injury, lifelong specialized medical and physical care could be needed.

3. Eye Injury 

Eye injuries are not always catastrophic injuries. But if the injury leads to permanent vision loss in one or both eyes, then it is classified as a catastrophic eye injury. 

If you should lose sight in one or both eyes, it will completely change your life in many ways.

Common accidents that cause catastrophic eye injuries include lacerations and foreign bodies in the eye, orbital blowout fractures, and exposure to certain chemicals.

4. Traumatic Brain Injury

Depending on the extent of a traumatic brain injury, you could face cognitive and emotional problems or debilitating lifelong issues. 

Victims of traumatic brain injury often cannot do simple tasks like feeding themselves and brushing their teeth. And sadly, many people suffering from brain injuries cannot recognize their loved ones. 

Traumatic brain injury is often the result of a major knock to the head. Cyclists and motorcyclists are particularly at risk of being involved in an accident that results in brain injuries.

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