While there is no exact catastrophic injury definition, it is a physical or internal injury regarded as severe and potentially impacting a victim's daily life and the lives of their families. A catastrophic injury affects a person much more than a minor one.
Catastrophic injuries typically lead to lifelong consequences, including the need for extended medical care, medical devices, permanent in-home help, and more. A catastrophic injury can lead to significant physical and cognitive disabilities.
An injury that is not permanent can still be considered a catastrophic injury. These types of trauma can last for months or years, significantly affecting the victim's ability to function physically and emotionally. In some cases, the effects of a catastrophic injury appear much later.
Degrees of Severity
A car accident can cause a concussion. It can also cause severe traumatic brain injury. In both cases, the car accident is the cause; however, only one of these injuries could be considered catastrophic.
Defining a catastrophic injury involves looking at degrees of severity. The mechanisms that cause relatively minor to moderate injuries are the exact mechanisms that cause catastrophic injuries, so the degrees of severity matter.
What Are Catastrophic Injury Examples?
Catastrophic injuries are likely to affect every aspect of a person's life, including the ability to work and carry out typical day-to-day activities. Some common catastrophic injury examples include:
This list is not a complete rundown of catastrophic injuries. Still, it gives an idea of the types of injuries classified as such and helps you understand the meaning of catastrophic injury.
Catastrophic injuries can affect many bodily systems, sometimes all at once. They include the central nervous system and the urinary, gastrointestinal, circulatory, excretory, respiratory, reproductive, and other systems.
Non-Catastrophic Injury Examples
Trauma that is non-catastrophic can still be severe. Moderate injuries often require medical treatment or even hospitalization. However, they do not have the long-term impact of catastrophic injuries. Non-catastrophic injuries may include:
- Bruises and cuts
- Whiplash or concussion
- Certain broken bones
- Puncture wounds
- Sprains and strains
More examples exist, but this list helps explain the main elements of a non-catastrophic injury. The victim does not have a substantial risk of permanent disfigurement, disability, or loss of bodily functions with a mild or moderate trauma.
Can You Secure Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury?
