Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Greensboro

Injury caused by the negligence of others can range in severity from minor to severe, catastrophic, or fatal. Catastrophic injuries deserve more compensation because of their life-altering consequences. Our Greensboro personal injury attorneys are committed to holding responsible parties accountable and aggressively pursuing the maximum compensation available for catastrophic injury victims.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

From a legal viewpoint, catastrophic injuries are injuries that deserve a higher level of compensation than less severe wounds. 

From a medical perspective, catastrophic injuries are a category that leave a victim:

• In need of special accommodations or lifelong care
• Severely disfigured, scarred, or deformed
• With permanent disability
• Incapable of continuing to earn money in a pre-injury profession

A catastrophic injury can also be defined as an extreme or particularly serious physical injury that has considerable impact on the victim and requires extensive medical treatment. 

If you have sustained a catastrophic injury due to the negligent actions of another person or entity, call us at (336) 568-8779.

What Types of Injuries Are Considered Catastrophic?

An injury may be considered catastrophic if it happens suddenly and leaves the victim with life-altering, long-term consequences. 

Examples of such injuries include:

• Spinal cord injury causing paraplegia or quadriplegia
• Amputation or loss of limb
• Birth injuries
• Loss of sight or hearing
• Traumatic brain injury
• Crush injuries
• Nerve damage
• Disfiguring facial injuries
• Neurological damage
• Severe burns

Why Are Damages Higher in Catastrophic Injury Cases?

Catastrophic injuries are high-stakes cases in which greater compensation may be awarded for losses suffered. Damages are higher because catastrophic injuries may require hospitalization, extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and lifelong care. They may have life-altering consequences, impacting every aspect of a victim’s life, and cause tremendous pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and mental anguish. 

What Compensation Is Available for Catastrophic Injuries?

Depending on the circumstances, compensatory damages in a catastrophic injury claim may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Costs of additional care
• Loss of household services
• Diminished quality of life
• Shortened lifespan
• Pain and suffering

In certain cases, courts may also award punitive damages, designed to punish the defendant for wrongdoing. Under North Carolina law, punitive damages are capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $250,000, whichever is higher.