When another person or entity engages in an action or fails to take reasonable care and causes an injury, that party can be responsible for paying damages to the injured person. It is important to know that you can seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit in Delaware even for a minor injury. To be sure, you do not need to suffer a life-threatening or debilitating injury in order to hold an at-fault party accountable. At the same time, it is especially important to seek compensation from the liable party after a catastrophic injury. What makes an injury catastrophic, and what do you need to know about seeking compensation through a personal injury claim?
Defining a Catastrophic Injury
What is a catastrophic injury? According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR), catastrophic injuries include “fatalities, injuries that result in permanent functional disability, and serious injuries that result in temporary functional disability with full recovery.” As examples, the NCCSIR cites the following as types of catastrophic injuries that it sees commonly among athletes:
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Brain bleeds;
- Skull fractures;
- Heat stroke;
- Sudden cardiac arrest;
- Internal organ injuries;
- Exertional sickling;
- Rhabdomyolysis (when damaged muscle tissue releases substances that cause organ damage); and
- Commotio cordis (blunt chest impact that leads to cardiac injury).
The key thing to remember is that a catastrophic injury either temporarily or permanently affects a person’s ability to function fully.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries in Delaware Personal Injury Cases
What types of catastrophic injuries are most common in Delaware personal injury cases? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that a high number of unintentional personal injuries occur in motor vehicle collisions and falls. Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries in those accidents and others include but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Bone fractures;
- Traumatic amputation; and
- Organ damage.
Why is it So Important to File a Claim After a Catastrophic Injury?
It is essential to begin working with a lawyer to file a claim after a catastrophic injury not just to hold the at-fault party accountable, but to seek the monetary compensation you will need to help you through the recovery process. Many catastrophic injuries involve a lengthy recovery process, if recovery is possible. Costs often include hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitative therapy, and home modifications due to disability, not to mention lost wages due to your inability to work.
As the National Safety Council (NSC) emphasizes, injuries result in costs of nearly $1.2 billion per year in the U.S. alone. You should not have to pay the costs for your recovery when another party is liable.
Contact a Delaware Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or someone you love suffered a catastrophic injury in Delaware, it is critical to seek advice from an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case and help you to file a claim. Our firm understands how devastating these types of injuries can be, and we want to ensure that you seek accountability while also making certain that you will have the compensation you need to pay for losses you have already endured and to cover future expenses resulting from your catastrophic injury. Contact Freibott Law online today or call our office in Wilmington: (302) 633-9000.