For victims of motor vehicle accidents and other harmful experiences, any injury can feel catastrophic. However, those seeking compensation after suffering a catastrophic personal injury are often at the mercy of how a judge or an insurance company defines the term catastrophic. This can play a significant role in the amount of compensation an injured victim receives.
For example, say that a drunk driver collided with your car causing multiple breaks in both of your legs. Without a doubt, this is a catastrophic personal injury when viewed from your perspective, but a judge or an insurance carrier may disagree.
A good way to determine what makes an injury catastrophic is how it will impact your ability to work and earn a decent living. In the example above, two broken legs can heal, which means that the victim may one day return to his or her job. As such, the court or insurance adjuster may decide that the injury is not catastrophic.
By now, you may be wondering why it even matters whether you have suffered a catastrophic personal injury or not. Our attorneys have an answer for you. In terms of compensation, the severity of your injury may be a big factor in how much compensation a court might award.
For example, in the Gulf Coast area, you can seek economic damages for a non-catastrophic injury, which will cover the expenses related to your harm. In catastrophic personal injury cases, you may be able to acquire the same economic damages as well as a pain and suffering award based on how the injury will impact your life going forward.
If you need information about your legal options in the wake of a significant injury, please continue reviewing our website content or reach out to our lawyers.