Catastrophic injuries resulting from someone else’s negligence are experienced by thousands of people each year in New York and other parts of the country. Victims are often stuck with long-term rehabilitation costs and exorbitant medical expenses. This is often coupled with the loss of income since they are unable to work in the same capacity as prior to the accident.
Catastrophic injuries resulting from someone else’s negligence are experienced by thousands of people each year in New York and other parts of the country. Victims are often stuck with long-term rehabilitation costs and exorbitant medical expenses. This is often coupled with the loss of income since they are unable to work in the same capacity as prior to the accident.
Financial repercussion of catastrophic injuries is not the whole story. These tragic incidents have another aspect associated with them – human cost, which is often ignored. Victims of catastrophic injuries suffer significant emotional and physical discomfort that may persist for months and even years. In some cases, the injuries have a permanent effect.
It can be difficult to fathom the physical pain and suffering experienced by an injury victim on a daily basis. Persistent pain causes trouble sleeping, inability to engage in enjoyable pursuits, and mobility problems. It may seem almost impossible to come to terms with the possibility of a life upheaval. While such intangible costs may not carry a price tag, they are real.
Families Suffer With the Victim
Catastrophic injuries have a significant impact on the victim. And, the injuries don’t spare the caregivers or family members either. These people are responsible for making important decisions about the injury victim’s care and future. Often catastrophic injury victims suffer lifelong disabilities. This prevents them from engaging and working in activities that they could perform before the accident.
Catastrophic injuries in New York can also result in cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and intellectual changes. Certain victims may require 24/7 medical care while others may require extensive rehabilitation. This includes physical, occupational, and psychological therapy. Few victims may permanently lose their ability to work and earn an income to support their families.
It is impossible to put a dollar amount on your inability to dance with your partner, trek with your friends, or play with your kids. You cannot put a price on not being able to earn a livelihood or physical disfigurements. You may think it’s not possible to acquire compensation for these types of irremediable losses, but it is vital that you have the financial resources to move on from your injury and lead a full life by attaining the medical treatment and care you need.
You can hold negligent parties responsible for your injuries and seek compensatory damages from them. It is best to have a dedicated New York catastrophic injury lawyer on your side to pursue your case for damages.
Unique Characteristics of Catastrophic Injuries
Victims of catastrophic injuries require specialized medical care and treatment. They suffer from injuries that affect the spinal cord, vital organs, joints, and brain muscles. These injuries are often caused by accidents at the workplace, home or in a public setting. Victims tend to experience secondary medical problems over time. This adds to the ongoing need for expensive medical care.
Effects of long-term catastrophic injury include:
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Chronic pain
- Brain damage
- Nerve damage
- Loss of hearing, vision, and speech
It is possible for certain injuries to remain unobvious immediately after the accident. This makes it important to seek prompt medical attention. You will also need the medical evidence to be compensated fairly for your injuries.
Effect and Damage of Catastrophic Injuries on Families
Catastrophic injuries are more often than not in the form of physical injuries. They represent a high risk for lasting and permanent consequences, which may involve painful and prolonged recovery time. These injuries may also involve life-changing disabilities and permanent damage.
In general, damages suffered by the victims of catastrophic injuries are never alike. However, they do have extensive financial, physical, and emotional losses in common. These are a few reasons for catastrophic injury victims to suffer substantial financial losses:
- Medical care: This may include emergency treatment, surgery, inpatient/intensive therapy, rehabilitation expenses, medicines, and other numerous procedures.
- Future medical requirements: Secondary medical issues and future deficits are common among catastrophic injury victims. These costs include additional treatments, medical monitoring, in-home or daily living assistance, and accommodative devices or changes among others.
- Lost income: Victims may not be able to return to work immediately or may suffer temporary disability
- Loss of future wages: Many people find it impossible to perform the same type of work as before the accident. This can result in reduced earning capacity.
- Financial losses: Families may have to bear economic implications by paying for injury-related medical expenses or miss work to care for severely injured or disabled family members.
Victims and their families are open to suffering substantial non-economic losses besides financial losses, such as the ones related to:
- Emotional turmoil, psychological injuries, and mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- Prolonged and painful rehabilitation or recovery
- Lost quality or enjoyment of life
- Lost consortium, companionship, and emotional support
Determining the Human Cost for Victims’ Families
Catastrophic injuries have a bad enough effect on victims, but their suffering doesn’t just end there. They have to see their families struggle with the deep economic and emotional pain due to their injuries. Children get hit the hardest because of these kinds injuries. They have to come to terms with their parent suffering from a medical condition that prevents them from contributing to the household.
Family dynamics may get affected by such injuries as well. For instance, people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually require round-the-clock assistance to get through a single day. Their kids and spouses are forced into a caregiving role. Many people are emotionally unequipped to handle aspects of this nature.
The consequences can be even more devastating in single-parent households. Children have only one parent to depend on and when that parent suddenly gets hurt, money gets tight and despair can set in. In addition, the children may be burdened with the duty of caring for their parent.
Spouses of victims face emotional turmoil as well. They experience difficulty in carrying on a meaningful relationship, which can lead to a severe loss of companionship.
Modifying Daily Routine for Accommodating the Injury Victim
Sometimes, the full impact of a catastrophic injury is not readily visible until the victim attempts at resuming their routine activity at home. It can be unsettling when the realization of limitations set in. It is possible for certain behavioral issues to develop as well.
Increased insight indicates quicker recovery, but it’s vital for the family to be vigilant and supportive during these tough times. They need to ensure the safety and comfort of their loved one. For instance, family members may have to step in when a brain injury victim cannot understand or perform certain activities.
Catastrophic injury victims can benefit from homes that are carefully organized. This can also help reduce their frustration, especially when the victim has suffered a TBI. Home modifications may become necessary if the patient faces mobility issues or physical problems. Families, in certain cases, may also have to come up with a home-based behavioral plan. While this can seem challenging, it is not impossible to get done.
Success of home-based behavioral plans increase with the following:
- Ensure everyone in the household comprehends and reinforces the plan
- Create a consistent daily routine for various activities
- Allow the catastrophic injury victim to have choices and maintain control
- Develop novel strategies for addressing deficits, such as medication dispensers, calendars, and day planners
Emotional and Mental Support and Help for Families
Spouse and kids of victims are burdened with additional responsibilities. They have to care for the same person who was heading the household at one time. It can be difficult to deal with the reality that the provider requires support systems now. This can easily disrupt the family dynamic and cause dire emotional consequences.
It is possible for the uninjured partner to experience resentment since they have to take on additional responsibilities and provide for the household. Injuries can be a major strain on any relationship. It may cause indignation among children as well who have to care for a parent now.
Most families require professional guidance to seek resolutions to their problems. They need help to start rebuilding their family structure. This can be through support groups, senior centers, day centers, professional counselors, and others. However, it can be daunting to arrange the funds for such services, especially for a prolonged duration.
Speak With a Leading Catastrophic Injury Attorney in New York Today
Seriously injured victims may suffer damages resulting in permanent or drawn-out repercussions. These include:
- Total or temporary partial disability
- Loss of sensory or bodily function (hearing/vision loss)
- Permanent disfigurement (facial injuries, amputation, scarring)
- Physical or cognitive deficits (impaired mobility/memory issues)
Assessing these injuries and their permanent or long term effects on victims is crucial to making a correct evaluation of all damages suffered. Generally, this involves collaborating with experienced and relevant experts as well as economic specialists. These experts can corroborate claims and determine expenses reasonably, accurately, and fairly.
The attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP fight tirelessly on behalf of catastrophic injury victims and their families to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. We have the skills, resources, and fortitude required to attain a favorable outcome in the personal injury lawsuit. Our aim is to recover maximum damages so that you and your loved ones can live without financial burden.
Get in touch with an experienced New York City catastrophic injury attorney by calling at 212-344-1000. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
