Get Fair Settlements with Our Ocala Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
In the blink of an eye, your life can dramatically change. You might be in a car accident and suffer a brain injury. Maybe there’s a fire at work and you suffer severe burns. You might be disfigured from a dog attack. These are called catastrophic injuries and they can require significant medical treatment—and, of course, a lot of money to pay for this treatment. That’s why you shouldn’t handle these injuries on your own. If you or a loved one has suffered life-changing injuries in an accident, contact an Ocala catastrophic injury attorney today.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are devastating. They can impact you for many years or even the rest of your life. Some common catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Loss of eyesight or hearing
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Organ damage
These injuries often lead to permanent disability, making the victim unable to work or earn money. In these cases, the victim may be able to receive disability benefits. However, if your catastrophic injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, then they can be held liable and forced to compensate you as well. Contact an Ocala catastrophic injuries attorney to understand your rights to compensation.
What is an Amputation?
An amputation injury occurs when a body part is detached from the body. The amputation can be partial or complete. A partial amputation is when there is still some soft tissue connecting the severed limb to the body. In a complete amputation, the body part has completely come off. In either of these cases, it may be possible for the amputated limb to be reattached if done immediately.
What Causes Amputations?
Amputations are caused by accidents such as the following:
- Auto accidents
- Factory accidents
- Construction accidents
- Industrial equipment accidents
- Defective products
- Burn injuries
Nearly half of all amputations are caused by traumatic injuries. An accident can tear away a body part. A body part can also be severely burned or crushed, requiring amputation.
Tissue damage caused by an injury, disease, or infection can also require amputation. One common example is frostbite, which damages blood vessels and can cause fingers and toes to be amputated. Circulation issues caused by diabetes can also lead to amputation.
Consequences of an Amputation
Even after an amputation and extensive treatment, a person can face serious side effects for the rest of their life. Many feel intense pain in the portion of the limb that remains. Even when the limb has been removed, some experience phantom pain. Because of this, many victims require constant pain management.
There is also an increased risk of circulation problems as well as infection. Many people develop sores and cysts.
Then there are the lifestyle adjustments. Losing a limb is no easy thing. A missing leg can make it hard to walk. Living life with one arm can make it hard to do many types of work and perform daily activities. Fortunately, there are prosthetic limbs and attachments that can aid in mobility.
There are also emotional and psychological issues to contend with. Many victims suffer from self-esteem issues. Many are depressed and frustrated by not being able to perform basic tasks. They lose their enjoyment of life. As a result, many victims seek counseling.
What Causes Internal Injuries?
Internal injuries may result from two types of trauma:
- Blunt trauma. This occurs when your body collides with something else with great force. Examples include auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, falls, and workplace accidents.
- Penetrating trauma. This occurs when an object penetrates the body. Gunshot and knife wounds are the most common forms of this trauma.
Types of Injuries
Trauma can cause a variety of internal injuries, such as the following:
- Internal bleeding. This happens when blood vessels are broken or damaged.
- Organ damage. Organs can be damaged by trauma. Livers are commonly injured, as are kidneys and spleens. Lungs can also be punctured by trauma. Broken ribs can sometimes cause lung damage.
- Diaphragm rupture. The diaphragm can be found across the bottom of the rib cage. It can rupture when the trunk of the body experiences blunt trauma. This can affect breathing.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aorta supplies blood throughout the body. Trauma to the aorta can cause an aneurysm, and if it ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding.
How Do I Know If I Have an Internal Injury?
It can be hard to know for sure if you are internally injured, as you may not know have any symptoms or know what signs to look for. If you have been in any type of accident, such as a car accident, workplace accident, or fall, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional. However, there are some signs to be aware of:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Passing out
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
If you have head trauma, you may also experience the following symptoms:
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Difficulty writing
- Increased sleepiness
If you have bleeding in your chest or abdomen, you may also experience:
- Bruising around your abdomen
- Blood in the urine
- Black stool
If you have bleeding in your muscles or joints, look for these signs:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Mobility issues
Types of Broken Bones
When a person suffers a fracture, there can be several different outcomes. The outcome can depend on the extent of the fracture, as well as the position and location of the broken bone. There are several types of fractures:
- Stable. This is the most common fracture. It means that the ends of the bone are still aligned, so treatment should be relatively easy.
- Compound. Also known as an open fracture, this is when the broken bone breaks the skin.
- Oblique. This is when the break is sloped or curved.
- Traverse. The broken is broken horizontally, at a 90-degree angle.
- Comminuted. The most complex fracture, this is when the bone breaks into at least three pieces.
Treatment depends on the type of fracture. For a stable fracture, you should be able to get a cast on it right away. For a more complex fracture such as a comminuted fracture, it will need to be pieced together first. You will also need plates and screws so that the bone can heal properly.
Causes of Broken Bones
Fractures tend to occur in three main ways:
- Physical trauma. This includes car accidents, falls, twisting injuries, and sports injuries.
- Overuse. This is most commonly seen in athletes who exercise excessively and place a lot of stress on their bones.
- Medical conditions. Osteoporosis, steroid use, infection, and tumors can weaken bones, causing them to break.
If your broken bone was caused by a third party’s negligence, such as a car, bicycle, or pedestrian accident, contact a fractures attorney as soon as possible. They can assess your case and help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Most Commonly Broken Bones
Any of our 206 bones can be fractured in an accident, but the most commonly broken ones are the following:
- Arms. Many people reach out to brace themselves during a fall, which puts extreme pressure on the bones and causes them to break.
- Ankles and feet. These bones can be broken during a fall or while playing sports.
- Clavicle (collarbone). A clavicle can be broken in a car accident if the airbag fails to deploy or you hit your steering wheel hard.
Consequences of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries do not always go away. They tend to have a long-term or permanent impact on the victim’s life. There is often the need for ongoing medical treatment, surgeries, or physical therapy. They may also need medical equipment or even nursing care.
Since the brain controls the entire body, brain injuries can cause complications with virtually any part of the body. A person can suffer permanent memory loss or problems with focusing or concentration. Many people develop emotional problems and can become anxious, irritable, or depressed. Some even develop changes to their personality.
Victims can also develop other forms of emotional trauma. Some experience post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an accident. Some lose their enjoyment of life if they are unable to participate in their favorite activities. It is not uncommon for some victims to live in constant pain and suffering. For family members, the constant stress can be overwhelming, leading to relationship difficulties and even divorce.
The financial impact can also be too much to bear, especially if the victim was the main wage earner in the household. A catastrophic injury can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Health insurance may pay for some costs. For the others, make sure you obtain a fair amount of compensation from the liable party.
Contact an Ocala Catastrophic Injuries Attorney Today
Catastrophic injuries can be stressful for not only the victim but their family as well. Dealing with medical treatment and the financial implications can be overwhelming.
The Ocala personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law can help you obtain full and fair compensation for your catastrophic injuries. We can determine liability and hold those parties accountable for their actions. Call (800) 373-3000 to schedule a consultation with an Ocala catastrophic injuries attorney today.
