A catastrophic injury has a range of definitions; it includes any loss of physical or mental ability from a catastrophic event. These injuries are life-changing for the person who sustains the injury. In personal injury law, we often see catastrophic injuries from various incidents like car and truck accidents, daycare abuse, or workplace injuries. We want to help our clients who suffer from these injuries get the help and closure that they need to move forward in life.

Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can go unnoticed.

There are many different kinds of brain injuries and many are caused by traumatic events. However, it is often difficult to see or know the symptoms of a brain injury right away—many times, people who sustain brain injuries seem like they are just fine. It’s important to know the symptoms of a brain injury and to seek immediate medical attention if you think you might have one.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can change a person's entire lifeA spinal cord injury can change a person’s entire way of life—spinal damage, caused by a number of reasons, can cause a person to lose certain abilities, due to damage of the spine and nervous system. Like brain injuries, spinal cord injuries may not be apparent right away

Traumatic Amputation

Traumatic Amputation are usually caused by an accident or injury

Traumatic amputations are usually caused by some kind of an accident or injury. if the limb is detached from the body and cannot be placed back on safely, a  medical professional may recommend removing it completely. There are also partial amputations, where some of the soft tissue remains. 

Chest Injury

A chest injury can cause a variety of different ailments, including fractured or broken ribs and lung damage.

A chest injury can cause a variety of different ailments, including fractured or broken ribs and lung damage. This can eventually lead to pneumonia or other potential infections of the lungs. Chest injuries are common results of direct trauma to the chest area; we see this often with victims of car accidents; however, they can happen as a result of a number of different physically traumatic events.

Bone or Joint Injuries

There are several types of trauma that can happen to bones, ligaments, and joints that can cause long-lasting injuries.

There are several types of trauma that can happen to bones, ligaments, and joints that can cause long-lasting injuries. These can be immediately apparent and extremely painful. There are many ways for a fractured bone to heal, but care should be taken to have the bone heal correctly. Joints that experience repeated or extreme trauma can wear down, causing worse injuries later on in life.

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

These types of injuries can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, the most common daycare injuries we see are a result of: 

  • Improper sleep methods - not properly putting a young child, like an infant or toddler, to bed can cause asphyxia, which can result in major brain damage or even death.
  • Child abuse by a caregiver - caregivers who are not qualified or even dangerous can cause serious physical harm to young children. Slapping, pushing, or hitting a child can cause serious, long-term injuries.
  • Not following procedure - if a caregiver does not follow the rules put in place by the daycare, a child can be seriously hurt. Just like in this case we handled with a bottle warmer full of scorching hot water falling on an infant's face.
  • Neglect - When left alone, children can at times be a danger to themselves. Whether through accidental self-suffocation or running and playing in an unsafe environment.
These injuries, of course, don't only happen to children. As an adult, individuals are subject to catastrophic injuries in various ways:
  • Car accidents - a seemingly minor collision with another vehicle may cause serious damage to the drivers or passengers involved through whiplash, broken glass or blunt trauma.
  • DWI accidents - accidents involving a drunk driver can lead to catastrophic injuries that may amount to worse results than your typical car accident due to improper use of a vehicle and negligence behind the wheel. DWI accidents also increase the risk of catastrophic injury to pedestrians and other bystanders due to the unexpected nature of a not sober driver.
  • Trucking accidents - the size and weight of semi-trucks and delivery trucks make them especially dangerous to drivers. When the operator of a truck is acting negligently, a collision with their vehicle can leave another driver injured, paralyzed or even dead.

Hire a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Texas

The Button Law Firm is dedicated to helping those who are victim to accidents that cause catastrophic injuries due to others' negligence on the road, at work, at daycare or elsewhere. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or other life debilitating condition, contact our experienced injury attorneys today. We serve the areas of Dallas Fort Worth, Midland Odessa and Houston, Texas.
Russell Button
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Dallas, Houston, and Midland Texas trial and personal injury lawyer dedicated to securing justice for clients.