In fact, Catastrophic injuries or disabilities have the most profound effect on a person’s capacity to function habitually.
These ailments regularly impact day-to-day activities (including housekeeping chores like taking out the trash and washing dishes), vital work responsibilities, and social and family relationships.
However, a catastrophic injury’s physical and psychological consequences usually result in a lower standard of living.
Suppose a person is catastrophically injured as a result of a traffic collision.
In that case, they are entitled to statutory accident compensation under their own car insurance policy or the policy of one of the other drivers involved in this incident.
In this article, I will talk about a complete guide on catastrophic injury and its compensation. If you want to know more about this, keep reading deeply till the end of this informative article.
Read Also: Sue after a Slip and Fall on Ice
Table of Contents
What is a Catastrophic Injury, and How Does It Happen?
A catastrophic injury, in plain terms, is one that considerably impairs your capacity to think about yourself or maintain living your life as you did before the incident.
The term “catastrophic injury” is frequently used to describe physical injuries, including:
1. Brain Injury
Brain injury is a serious condition that can be fatal. It can impact one’s capacity to care for oneself, your capacity to move within your own, your memories, your verbal ability, and even your personality.
For the remainder of your life, intermediate to catastrophic brain injuries can necessitate in-home help.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result in not just persistent discomfort but also temporary or permanent paralysis.
If you lose much use of your legs, even if it’s just partially, it can drastically reduce your self-esteem and confidence.
Paralysis can also lead to depression and other psychological problems.
3. Amputation
Losing limbs is a life-changing catastrophe that can impact you mentally and physically, as well as have long-term consequences.
Learning how to deal without such a limb and trying to operate with a prosthetic can also be challenging, along with rehabilitating into your community interaction.
However, if you do not even have a particular catastrophic injury, a collection of minor injuries that significantly impact the quality of your life and well-being might be classified as catastrophic.
Mental health issues that arise from your injury might be paired with medical problems and labeled as catastrophic.
Read Also: Benefits of Personal Injury Protection
Catastrophic versus Non-Catastrophic Injuries
The core difference between catastrophic and non-catastrophic injuries are mentioned in the following:
Catastrophic Injuries
The most disabling injuries are catastrophic ones.
They may render you permanently incapacitated, resulting in a significant reduction in your standard of living, as well as need several therapies and hospitalizations.
There is a need for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. But, unfortunately, they are also capable of causing death.
The Following are Some Examples of Typical Catastrophic Injuries
- Injuries to the brain and spinal cord might result in paralysis or incapacity to look for oneself.
- Severe wounds that might be scarring
- Loss of a leg or amputation
- Detrimental effects on the body
- Neurological abnormalities
Non-Catastrophic Injuries
A non-catastrophic injury can be serious, but perhaps you should assume to recuperate and not require long-term care.
The Following are the Major Examples of Possible Injuries
- Bones that have broken
- Bruises, scrapes, rips, and lacerations are all common injuries.
- Lower-intensity wounds which will heal
- Concussions and other head injuries
- The following are common reasons including both kinds of injuries:
- Automobile accidents
- Falls and slips
- Bites by dogs
- Malpractice in medicine
In the workplace, there have been several unexpected incidents.
Know About Catastrophic Injury Compensation
Apparently, Auto insurance in Canada is “no-fault,” which means that your insurance should compensate you for your medical bills and missed earnings regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
If you have catastrophic injuries, the amount you are entitled to be substantially more considerable than for non-catastrophic injuries, and it also includes continuous medical care and supported living.
On the other hand, insurance firms will do all possible to avoid paying out full accident compensation.
With a local expert attorney on your side, you can ensure that you obtain the maximum compensation for your medical bills, missed earnings, and other financial difficulties.
In some circumstances, your insurance benefits can be sufficient. However, you may choose to take legal action against the at-fault motorist for additional damages in some situations.
Finally, personal injury attorneys can assist you in determining the best approach for obtaining sufficient compensation for a pleasant recuperation and ensuring that you can return to your regular life as soon as possible after being released from the hospital.
Read Also: Workplace Injuries Facts & Causes
Different Types of Injuries That Usually Make a Catastrophic Impairment
Under the Canadian insurance act, the word “catastrophic impairment ” has a specific meaning. Injured people who have already suffered from a catastrophic injury are subject to the maximum amount of statutory accident compensation.
The Following Sorts of Injuries are Considered as Catastrophic Impairment, Which is Given in Below
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Quadriplegia or polycythemia as a result of a catastrophic spinal cord damage
- Amputation or a significant reduction in the movement or the use of a limb
- Loss of vision both in the eyes
- A biological handicap or a mixture of abnormalities affects 55% or more of an individual’s entire body.
- A psychological or behavioral impairment (except TBI) in conjunction with a physical disability affects 55 percent or more of an individual’s whole body.
- Significant impairment (‘Category 4’) in at least three areas of functionality, preventing practical function.
- A psychological or behavioral problem has resulted in severe impairment (‘Category 5’) in at least one area of activity.
In Conclusion
To sum up the whole thing, the laws and regulations governing what constitutes a catastrophic injury are highly complicated, and a professional catastrophic injury litigator is typically required to properly navigate the legislation and negotiate with your insurance provider or the entity responsible for your accident.
Apart from that, Commuters, bikers, motorcyclists, snowmobiling riders, and automobile passengers are all eligible for catastrophe payments if they are injured in a traffic collision. And, regardless of whether they were at blame for the catastrophe, they are eligible for these incentives.
In a word to say, always try your best to speak with an expert catastrophic injury attorney if you are critically wounded in an unexpected accident and believe you are entitled to compensation or if your catastrophe claims are wrongfully refused.
