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The three possible outcomes of catastrophic injuries include death, significant functional impairment that is permanent, and severe head or neck damage that is transient, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research in the United States.
As per 42 USC § 3796b, the legal definition of a catastrophic injury is an injury with “direct and proximate consequences” that “permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work.”
What are the common catastrophic injuries?
- Amputation
- Head injuries
- Traumatic Brain injury
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burn injuries
- Blindness
- Paralysis
- Cerebral palsy and other birth injuries
- Multiple burns
- Coma
- Internal organ damage
Like non-catastrophic personal injuries, catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere at any time. In some cases, even a simple slip and fall might cause serious injury. The majority of definitions of catastrophic injury strongly emphasize long-term impairment, loss of your ability to work, and the extent to which you require assistance to perform basic everyday tasks.
In layman's words, catastrophic personal injuries approach the Maximum Medical Improvement whereas non-catastrophic personal injuries fully recover (MMI).
Receiving medical attention for your wounds may have a significant impact on how quickly you heal. To help you chronicle the occurrence and your injuries, you might want to get medical help and call emergency services.
A catastrophic injury is complex and has long-term effects. A catastrophic injury victim rarely fully recovers since these wounds are typically irreparable.
Even if recovering from a catastrophic injury is practically impossible, there are several treatments that could significantly improve your health. With long-term, comprehensive methods like physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatric counseling, and medication management, it is possible to recover from a catastrophic injury.
Your personal injury claim may be impacted in a number of ways by catastrophic injuries. Even though catastrophic injury cases typically settle out of court, you are still entitled to compensation if you suffered serious injuries as a result of someone else's (or a company's) negligence.
This may affect your ability to obtain damages for automobile accidents in no-fault jurisdictions and the amount of compensation you are entitled to when making a catastrophic injury claim for personal injury. A plaintiff in a case involving a catastrophic injury must show both that the defendant's acts contributed to their injuries and that they were catastrophic in nature. It could be difficult for the claimant to present a compelling argument on his own. He could build a case for compensation with the assistance of an experienced catastrophic injury attorney.
Unless the insured individual reaches retirement age or becomes permanently handicapped, functionally impaired, or otherwise unable to work, catastrophic disability insurance covers income up to 100% of the time.
The Catastrophic Disability Benefit (CAT) provides additional financial assistance to the deserving victims so they may pay for services and expenses not covered by their health insurance. The CAT option is helpful for the victim's lost income when combined with the base insurance payment and other disability benefits.
