Injuries happen on the job in Memphis every day. Some are minor and easy to recover from, others require medical treatment and other types of therapy, and the most severe accidents are catastrophic. Defined as an illness or injury that extremely incapacitates someone for a long period of time, catastrophic injuries can completely change lives.
The National Library of Medicine also defines a catastrophic illness or injury as a life-threatening one that may lead to a residual serious disability. Treatment for these injuries is often expensive and extreme.
Catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere
Because these injuries are often so devastating, it takes more money, time and energy to recover. Some examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:
- Severe damage or bruise to the brain that can lead to confusion, limited ability to use the extremities or impaired cognitive functioning.
- Spinal cord injuries that affect the use of limbs or any other system in the body.
- Burns that are deep enough and large enough to cause long-term side effects like infection.
- Amputation of any limb.
- Loss of senses that can be life-altering and devastating
Often, catastrophic injuries are as harmful mentally and emotionally as physically. The compensation the injured receives may include extra for pain and suffering to deal with depression, anxiety and additional mental health problems that may arise.
Rare occasions that require immediate help
While catastrophic injuries are rarer than personal injuries, they deserve extra attention and care because of their long-term, devastating effect on a person or their family. In some cases, catastrophic injuries or illnesses may lead to death, which intensifies the situation.
