Catastrophic Injuries in New Hampshire
A catastrophic injury is an injury that occurs to the body that has serious long-term or permanent effects. Most often, catastrophic injuries occur to the spine or brain leading to paralysis or brain damage. Catastrophic injuries have life altering affects both on the victim and their family. When a person is injured in an accident caused by another party's negligence, they may be entitled to compensation.
A catastrophic injury can occur in many different ways. If you were loved one have faced serious injury in New Hampshire, contact Russman Law to find out if you have a case. Catastrophic injuries may be entitled to compensation if they occurred any of the following situations:
- Auto accidents
- Birth injuries
- Construction accidents
- Prescription drug errors
- Medical malpractice Slip and falls
Two of the most common and most serious types of catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about 200,000 people are currently living with a spinal cord injury in the United States. They estimate that about 46% of these cases were caused by motor vehicle accidents and another 22% occurred from slip and falls. In addition, every year about 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injuries occur.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury affects, not just the victim, but the entire family. Catastrophic injuries often require a lifetime of medical care. In many cases the victim may be unable to work or even care for themselves. Many catastrophic injuries include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain damage
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
One of the biggest concerns of families in which a catastrophic injury has occurred is how to pay for medical expenses. The CDC s estimates that a person with a spinal cord injury will require $15,000 to $30,000 in annual medical care. The estimated lifetime cost of medical care will be anywhere from $500,000 to over $3 million, depending on the severity of the injury. They also estimate that in the year 2000 in United States, traumatic brain injuries cost about $76.5 billion in direct medical care costs and indirect costs such as inability to work.
Catastrophic accidents such as dramatic brain injury or spinal cord damage can result in complications such as neurological impairment, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal issues as well as neurological side effects including depression and anxiety.
Because of the steep costs and suffering that accompanies a catastrophic injury, victims and families should seek the compensation they deserve. A New Hampshire catastrophic injury attorney can help families get money for past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Get a New Hampshire Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a catastrophic injury in New Hampshire, contact our office for a consultation. There is a limited period of time to file a claim. In New Hampshire, most personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident. Call us now to begin working on your case.
