Severe and traumatic injuries can lead to lasting, life-changing disabilities, ongoing medical care, and significant financial challenges. If someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your injury, you have the right to seek compensation.
At Privette Law Office, we help injury victims and their families fight for the financial support they need to rebuild their lives. If you are searching for a Southern Missouri catastrophic injuries lawyer, our team is here to provide the guidance and legal representation you need. Call us today or reach out online to learn more.
What Makes an Injury “Catastrophic”?
A minor injury, like a sprained wrist or a small cut, might heal within weeks. However, a catastrophic injury has long-term effects that can last a lifetime. Some characteristics of catastrophic injuries include:
- Permanent or long-term disability – Some injuries never fully heal, making it difficult or impossible to return to normal life.
- Significant medical expenses – Many victims require surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
- Loss of income or career changes – Certain injuries can restrict individuals from pursuing their chosen careers, or even prevent them from working altogether.
- Emotional and psychological effects – Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common after life-changing injuries.
These injuries can affect not just the victim, but their entire family. Loved ones often become caregivers, taking on emotional, physical, and financial responsibilities they never expected.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Every catastrophic injury is serious, but some are more common than others. Below are some of the most devastating injuries we see in cases we handle.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A victim may experience a traumatic brain injury from a blow to the head, a penetrating head injury, or violent shaking. The impact of this injury can vary depending on the severity. However, symptoms may include memory loss, confusion, speech challenges, and, in some cases, lasting cognitive impairment. Some TBIs result in comas or require long-term care.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Any type of spinal cord damage can lead to partial or total paralysis. Victims may lose movement in both their legs (paraplegia) or in both their arms and legs (quadriplegia). These injuries often require wheelchairs, physical therapy, and home modifications.
Severe Burns
Burn injuries can result from chemical exposure, fires, or electrical accidents. Many burn victims require skin grafts and multiple surgeries to regain pre-injury levels of function.
Amputations
The loss of a limb changes how a person moves, works, and interacts with the world. Many amputees need prosthetic limbs, which can be costly and require extensive physical therapy to learn to use effectively.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt force trauma from car accidents, falls, or workplace injuries can damage internal organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries can pose serious risks to life without immediate medical attention.
How Do These Injuries Happen?
Catastrophic injuries are usually caused by accidents that could have been prevented. Some of the most common causes include:
Car Accidents
High-speed crashes, truck collisions, and motorcycle wrecks often result in life-changing injuries. A distracted or drunk driver can cause a devastating accident in just seconds, leaving victims with serious medical problems.
Workplace Accidents
Construction sites, factories, and other dangerous workplaces expose employees to heavy machinery, high falls, and harmful chemicals. Workers can suffer severe injuries that keep them from earning a living. Even if negligence was not a cause of the injury, industrial accidents can have catastrophic results.
Medical Negligence
A doctor’s mistake, surgical error, or misdiagnosis can lead to severe complications, permanent damage, or even wrongful death. Patients place their trust in doctors and nurses and expect them to provide proper care. When trust is shattered by negligence, the consequences can be profound and life-altering. A misdiagnosis or delayed treatment can mean the difference between recovery and a lifetime of suffering.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
A simple fall can lead to serious injuries, especially for older adults. Slippery floors, uneven walkways, and poor lighting create hazardous conditions that can cause broken bones, head injuries, or worse. Property owners are responsible for keeping their spaces safe, but when they neglect basic maintenance, innocent people get hurt.
Defective Products
When a product malfunctions, the consequences can be devastating. Manufacturers have a responsibility to make sure their products are safe before selling them, but sometimes, defective items still make it to the market. A single flaw in a product’s design or production can cause severe injuries, leaving victims with lasting pain and financial stress.
How We Help Injury Victims
At Privette Law Office, we know how difficult life becomes after a catastrophic injury. Our catastrophic injury lawyers work tirelessly to secure the support you need. Some of the ways that our compassionate legal team will help you include:
- Investigating the accident to determine who was at fault
- Gathering evidence, including medical records, police reports, and expert opinions
- Negotiating with insurance companies and demanding fair compensation
- Taking your case to court if necessary to pursue justice
We handle cases on a contingency basis, which means you do not have to pay our catastrophic injuries lawyers anything unless we win your case.
What Compensation Can You Receive?
Money won’t undo the injury, but it can relieve financial stress and provide for your future. Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to recover:
- Medical Expenses – Hospital bills, rehabilitation, surgeries, and long-term care costs.
- Lost Wages – If you cannot work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and future earnings.
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation for emotional distress, chronic pain, and reduced quality of life.
- Home and Vehicle Modifications – If you need a wheelchair ramp, specialized vehicle, or home adjustments, these costs can be included in your claim.
- Caregiver Costs – If you need in-home care, that expense should be covered.
Call a Southern Missouri Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer Today
If you have suffered a life-changing injury, don’t wait to get help. The legal system can be complicated, and the sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be.
At Privette Law Office, we are here to help victims demand justice and compensation. If you are looking for a Southern Missouri catastrophic injuries lawyer, contact us today for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for you.