Some injuries change lives in an instant. When an accident causes permanent disability or long-term medical needs, the result may be considered a catastrophic injury.
These injuries go beyond broken bones or temporary pain. They can affect every aspect of a person’s life—physically, emotionally, and financially. Understanding what qualifies as a catastrophic injury can help injury victims and their families prepare for what’s ahead.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
A catastrophic injury is serious physical damage that leads to permanent impairment or long-lasting health complications. These injuries often impact the brain, spine, or other critical body systems, making it difficult, or even impossible, for the person to return to the life they had before.
Under Missouri law, a “catastrophic personal injury” refers to a severe physical injury that results in:
- Quadriplegia, defined as the permanent loss of function in all four limbs;
- Paraplegia, defined as the permanent loss of function in two limbs;
- The loss of two or more limbs;
- A brain injury causing permanent cognitive impairment, rendering the individual unable to make independent decisions or perform daily activities such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring, and walking;
- Irreversible failure of one or more major organ systems; or
- Severe vision loss, where the central visual acuity in the better eye is 20/200 or worse with correction, or the field of vision in the better eye is so restricted that its widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.
While this definition specifically applies to medical malpractice cases, it provides a baseline for the type of injury that could be classified as catastrophic in other personal injury cases.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Not every severe injury is considered catastrophic. The most common examples that tend to meet this criteria include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
- Severe burns requiring skin grafts or ongoing care
- Amputations
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Multiple complex bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Severe nerve or ligament injuries
These types of injuries often lead to permanent limitations or require prolonged recovery times. They may also involve psychological effects, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury can happen almost anywhere. However, some situations are more likely to lead to serious outcomes. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction site incidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
Accidents where a large vehicle was involved, traveling at high speeds, or incidents where safety is ignored can significantly increase the likelihood of a catastrophic injury.
Impacts of Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury isn’t just defined by its severity but by the impacts it has on an individual throughout their life. Survivors could face a number of lifelong challenges, from managing chronic pain to needing in-home nursing care or additional medical services.
In some cases, family members also feel the effects. A spouse may need to quit their job to become a full-time caregiver. Children may experience emotional distress or take on new responsibilities at home.
How These Injuries Affect Legal Claims
Catastrophic injury claims are often more complex than standard personal injury cases. The medical evidence is usually extensive, and the financial impact may stretch across a lifetime. Because of this, legal claims often involve larger damages and more expert testimony.
Similar to personal injury claims, catastrophic injury victims can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These may include:
- Emergency medical bills and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and reduced future earning potential
- Costs for rehabilitation, home care, or assistive technology
- Pain and suffering
If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, there may be grounds to file a personal injury claim.
When to Speak With a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Although not all serious injuries are considered catastrophic, if they permanently alter an individual’s life, they often can qualify. In order to determine whether you meet the legal definition, it’s helpful to speak with a catastrophic injury lawyer in St. Louis to understand the long-term nature of these cases and what kinds of evidence you need to support your claim.
Contact our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers from Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in St.Louis, MO, today. We have two convenient locations in Missouri, including St. Louis and Richmond Heights.
We proudly serve St. Louis County and its surrounding areas.
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
10 S Broadway #560
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 932 – 1066
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Richmond Heights Office
1034 S Brentwood Blvd Penthouse 1-C
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
(314) 932 – 1066