Manassas, VA Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

Some accidents may leave victims with injuries that heal over time, and they will eventually be able to resume their normal lives after they make a full recovery. However, other injuries may change the course of a person's life permanently. A catastrophic injury may affect how a person lives, works, and relates to the world around them. The legal, financial, and personal consequences of these injuries can be just as overwhelming as the initial accident.

At Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC, our attorneys represent people in Manassas who have suffered catastrophic injuries because of other people's negligence. We understand that no amount of money can undo what has happened, but a successful legal claim can provide a victim with the financial resources they need to rebuild their life and avoid ongoing difficulties.

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

Not every serious injury may be considered to be catastrophic. Generally speaking, a catastrophic injury is one that results in permanent or long-term impairments. If a person's injuries will prevent them from returning to the work they were able to perform in the past, will require ongoing medical treatment or other forms of care and assistance, and affect their ability to live independently, they will likely be considered catastrophic.

When determining how a catastrophic injury may be addressed, the severity and impact of the injury will be considered. Catastrophic injuries will often involve high medical costs, long-term financial losses, and a level of personal suffering that will require significant compensation to ensure that a person will be able to meet their needs in the future.

How Catastrophic Injuries Can Affect Victims and Their Families

The impact of a catastrophic injury will not only involve the physical harm suffered by the victim, but it can also reshape an entire family's way of life. Some of the issues that families may experience in these situations include:

Financial Consequences

The financial impact of a catastrophic injury can be staggering. Emergency medical care, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy can lead to massive medical expenses that may add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over the rest of a victim's lifetime. A catastrophic injury may require the victim to use assistive technology, modify their home to accommodate a disability, or hire professional caregivers to provide them with daily assistance.

At the same time, a victim may be unable to return to their job. The lost wages and lost earning capacity over the course of their career can make it difficult or impossible to address the costs of medical care that will be needed while also paying other ongoing expenses. For a family that depended on the victim's income, these losses can be devastating.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

Catastrophic injuries will often involve significant emotional suffering. A victim may experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns as they deal with the impact of their injuries. They may struggle with grief over the loss of their independence and the other ways their life has been affected. Adjusting to a new reality that may involve chronic pain and limited mobility can add to a person's emotional difficulties.

Other family members may also experience similar concerns. A person's spouse, parents, or children may need to provide ongoing medical care and assistance. This can completely change family relationships while adding emotional strain for multiple family members.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

At Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC, we represent people who have suffered a wide range of catastrophic injuries in Manassas and the surrounding communities, including:

Spinal Cord Injuries

When the spinal cord is damaged in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or another type of injury, a victim may experience permanent paralysis. Depending on the severity of the injury, a victim may lose all sensation and motor function below the site of the injury. Injuries to the lower spine may result in paraplegia, affecting the legs and lower body. Injuries higher on the spinal cord can cause tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia), which can affect all four limbs and potentially prevent a person from breathing without assistance. The lifetime cost of care for a severe spinal cord injury can add up to several million dollars.

Amputations

The loss of a limb can be life-changing for an injury victim. Virtually every aspect of their life may be affected by this loss. A person who loses an arm, leg, hand, foot, or other body part may experience significant challenges. Even if modern prosthetic technology may allow a person to regain some functionality, high-quality prosthetic devices are extremely expensive, and they will require ongoing maintenance and regular replacements. A victim may also require physical and occupational therapy to learn to use prosthetics effectively and adjust to living without a limb or other body part.

Severe Burns

Severe burn injuries can be incredibly painful, and they may affect a person in many ways. Treatment may involve a lengthy hospital stay, multiple surgeries including skin grafting, and ongoing rehabilitation. Even with the best available medical care, severe burns may result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, limited range of motion, and chronic pain. Burn victims may also face psychological challenges as they adjust to changes in their physical appearance and deal with ongoing pain.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can occur when a person experiences a sudden blow to the head or a jolt to the neck. Moderate or severe TBIs can lead to issues such as intellectual disabilities, personality changes, memory loss, difficulties with communication, seizures, and emotional disorders. These injuries may affect a person's ability to work, maintain relationships, or live independently.

Serious Bone Fractures

While some broken bones may heal without long-term complications, certain fractures are severe enough to qualify as catastrophic. If a bone shatters into multiple pieces, if a compound fracture results in open wounds and infections, or if serious fractures affect the pelvis, spine, or skull, a victim may experience chronic pain or limited mobility, even after receiving treatment. Fractures that damage nerves, blood vessels, or organs can also make injuries more severe while having a long-term impact on a person's health.

Vision and Hearing Loss

Catastrophic accidents can result in a permanent loss of vision or hearing. A person may experience injuries to the eyes or ears, neurological damage may affect their senses, or exposure to toxic chemicals may result in blindness or deafness. These losses can affect a person's ability to work and navigate their daily life. Assistive devices and accommodations may be needed to help a person recover and live a normal life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries

Contact Our Manassas Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

The team at Parthemos, Curran, Buelow and Polizzi, PLLC provides dedicated legal representation for injury victims, helping them rebuild and move forward after life changing catastrophes. We understand how overwhelming these situations can be, and we are committed to pursuing the compensation and accountability you deserve.

Contact our Manassas, VA severe injury attorneys today by calling 540-662-4222 to arrange a free consultation. We provide our clients with one-on-one personalized attention, and we are always available to help.