A brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other catastrophic injury can affect your life in ways you may not fully internalize for weeks or months. These severe injuries can last for years and impede your ability to perform everyday tasks like eating, bathing, or dressing yourself. Furthermore, you may need ongoing treatments for many years, which can take a drastic toll on your finances. Finally, don’t discount the emotional impact of a catastrophic injury, as it can be hard to adjust to new physical limitations or a disability.
As catastrophic injury lawyers serving Auburn Hills, Michigan, the team at Atnip & Associates, PLLC, knows what you’re going through and wants to help. Our catastrophic injury attorneys can file a claim to help you recover compensation from whoever caused your injuries. We’ll handle all the legal work to simplify your life and let you focus on healing. With over 80 years of combined experience and millions of dollars recovered for our clients, you can trust us to fight for your rights with vigor and integrity. Call us now or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation.
Accidents and negligence can lead to many kinds of injuries, but not all injuries are catastrophic. What makes an injury catastrophic is the significant, long-term harm it causes. For example, a spinal cord injury could leave you partly or fully paralyzed for the rest of your life, preventing you from doing many activities and leading to years of expensive medical bills.
It’s these severe effects that make catastrophic injuries so harmful. Without compensation from a catastrophic injury claim, you will likely struggle to meet your needs and get the necessary treatment to improve your recovery.
Many types of injuries can be catastrophic if they affect you for a long time, but some common examples of catastrophic injuries include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Severed, amputated, or crushed limbs
Multiple broken bones in a single incident
Severe burns
Injuries to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or other internal organs
Loss of hearing or sight
Catastrophic injuries are hard to predict and avoid because they can happen almost anywhere in the right circumstances. Some accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes, motorcycle collisions, and truck accidents in Auburn Hills can cause severe injuries in an instant. High-speed impacts often lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries as the body collides with the vehicle’s interior or objects outside the vehicle. Motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable to fractures, head trauma, and road burns because they have such limited protection from a crash. Survivors of these traumatic incidents often face long recovery periods, surgeries, and physical therapy, along with permanent mobility restrictions or cognitive impairments.
Falls from Heights
For workers on ladders, roofs, or scaffolding, a single misstep or equipment malfunction can lead to devastating injuries, including paralysis or brain damage. These accidents may lead to multiple fractures, spinal cord injuries, or brain injuries if someone hits their head in a fall.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-falls can lead to significant injuries, especially for older adults. When someone falls unexpectedly, they may hit their head, leading to a traumatic brain injury, or land in a way that causes severe fractures or spinal injuries. Many slip-and-fall victims struggle with chronic pain, limited mobility, or other long-term issues, particularly if they suffer joint or hip fractures.
Workplace Accidents
Industrial and construction sites are filled with hazards that can cause catastrophic injuries, including heavy machinery, elevated workspaces, and hazardous materials. For instance, workers can experience crush injuries, traumatic amputations, or electrical burns in accidents involving malfunctioning equipment or insufficient safety measures. These injuries often require extensive treatment and may leave individuals unable to return to their previous jobs.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Cyclists and pedestrians are at high risk for catastrophic injuries when they collide with motor vehicles. Even at low speeds, a car impact can cause serious head injuries, fractures, or internal organ damage. These types of incidents frequently require long-term physical therapy to help victims regain as much mobility and independence as possible.
Explosions and Fires
Explosions and fires, which can occur in industrial settings, in kitchens, on roadways, or in residential settings, have severe and often life-threatening consequences. Victims may suffer from extensive burn injuries, leading to multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and the need for long-term care. Additionally, explosions can cause traumatic brain injuries, lung damage, and other internal injuries due to the force of the blast.
Sports and Recreational Accidents
While many people enjoy sports and recreational activities, certain high-impact sports come with a heightened risk of catastrophic injuries. For example, contact sports like football, hockey, or rugby can lead to repeated head injuries or spinal damage. Similarly, recreational activities like skiing or rock climbing involve risks of falls that can result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or concussions.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can lead to catastrophic injuries when healthcare providers make critical errors in diagnosis, treatment, or surgery. Mistakes during surgery, like operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, can cause severe internal damage or infections. Misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses can allow deadly conditions like cancer or infections to progress untreated, leading to long-term health complications or even death. Medication errors, such as administering the wrong drug or dosage, can also result in harmful side effects, organ damage, or permanent disabilities.
A Michigan personal injury attorney can help make sure your catastrophic injury claim seeks full compensation for the many losses you’ve experienced, such as:
Your lost income
Your reduced future earnings due to a disability
Your current and future medical bills
Your pain and suffering
Your diminished quality of life
Your damaged personal property
Punitive/exemplary damages in cases of extreme negligence
Under Michigan law, you typically have three years from your injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit, though the deadline for most medical malpractice claims is two years. We urge you to speak to an attorney as soon as possible to put yourself in the strongest position to pursue maximum compensation.
At Atnip & Associates, PLLC, our catastrophic injury lawyers serving Auburn Hills, Michigan, know you’re struggling and are here to help you file a claim for the compensation you need to move forward. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
