Catastrophic Injuries: What are They?

When you think of personal injury law, you may imagine that all cases are similar. You may think they all involve injuries of any level, negligence, and potential compensation. However, courts throughout Corpus Christi and all of Texas consider the severity of the injury when determining the specific amount of damages to award.

The most severe injuries receive the label of “catastrophic.” These types of injuries are some of the most devastating, often resulting in permanent damage and disability. Because of the ramifications of these injuries, the consideration for compensation often heightens. The value of the case may increase.

If you or someone you love suffers a catastrophic injury, it's vital to recognize what type of injury it is and what you can do in the aftermath. Three of the most common catastrophic injuries include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries (or SCIs)
• Burn injuries

Keep reading to learn more about each of these catastrophic injuries.

For a free consultation, call us at 361-698-7600 today.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Their Impact

Any head injury is a cause for concern. Numerous problems may arise following trauma to your brain, head, or skull. Because of a traumatic brain injury, you may face long-term complications, including the following:

• Loss of consciousness: This can range anywhere from a few seconds for a mild TBI to several hours for a severe injury.
• A decline in cognitive abilities: Cognitive abilities are your brain-based skills. These skills include your ability to learn, memory, problem-solving, and attention. A brain injury can negatively impact all these abilities.
• Memory loss: You may experience short- to long-term memory loss because of the head injury.

How a Spinal Cord Injury Affects a Person

When you suffer an injury to your spine or spinal cord, you can experience various types of damages. The spinal cord has multiple sections that each impact a different part of your body. The long-term implications you may encounter are often dependent on where the injury occurs.

For instance, a cervical spinal cord injury occurs in the cervical section of the vertebrae. The result causes damage to your neck and head above your shoulders. If complete paralysis occurs, you will be unable to use any limbs below the point of the injury—typically, this means all four limbs.

Some spinal cord injuries can have a less severe effect, making it possible for you to use half of your body or losing function in just in your legs. In situations where the injury is less severe, you may experience pain and trouble with some function, but still be able to walk.

The Dangers of Burn Injuries

Doctors diagnose burn injuries in three different categories.

• A first-degree burn causes redness, some pain, and usually goes away after about a week or so.
• A second-degree burn impacts the dermis and epidermis (the top layer of skin and the layer beneath it), causing serious pain, long-term scarring, blistering, and more.
• A third-degree burn often causes nerve damage, as well as damage to your bones and tissue. Because the nerve damage can be so severe, third-degree burns don't usually cause long-term pain; instead, it causes numbness in the affected area.

Many catastrophic injuries result from negligent actions such as car crashes, trucking collisions, medical malpractice, and more. When this happens, you want to hire legal advocates who can help you pursue justice against the responsible party.

At The Edwards Law Firm, our Corpus Christi personal injury lawyers stand ready to help you seek compensation for the damages you sustain. Let our team be your guides through some of the most challenging legal matters, always focusing on your best interests.

Call us at 361-698-7600 today and speak with our legal team about your potential case. We'll explain your rights and options in a way you understand.