Serious claims, also known as major injury or catastrophic claims, are claims that happen as the result of an accident that caused serious injuries and loss resulting from someone else’s negligence. There isn’t one specific injury that identifies a serious injury, instead, serious injuries are one or more injuries that are devastating and severe. Serious injuries generally require urgent and immediate hospital care and treatment and the injured person will more than likely spend several days, weeks, or even months in the hospital. Serious injuries also have an adverse effect on the injured person’s quality of life.
Common Causes of Serious Injuries
It is important to understand that a serious injury can occur anywhere, including the workplace, grocery stores, playgrounds, school events, and on the roadways. This type of injury can happen to anyone, of any age. Some of the most common causes of serious injuries include:
- Work accidents, including faulty machinery and improper safety measures
- Automobile accidents, including pedestrians and cyclist being hit, vehicles and motorcycles
- Medical negligence, including receiving the wrong diagnosis, treatment, or medications
- Criminal injury claim, such as being injured as a bystander during a criminal act
Common Types of Serious Injury Claims
A serious injury may be in the form of an internal injury, broken bones, and/or damages to vital organs, including the brain. Some of the most common types of serious injuries that often lead to claims for compensation include:
- Head injury
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Broken and/or fractured bones
- Severe burns, disfigurement, and scarring
- Severe psychiatric/psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of eyesight or hearing
What can be Claimed?
Although the things you can claim vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the seriousness of the injuries and the nature of the accident. However, for those who are seriously injured, the consequences of your accident can be life-altering. These changes may be for a short period of time or possibly even for the rest of your life. During this stressful and difficult time, you may need to rely on family members for care and assistance, especially if you lose your job as a result of the accident. Some of the things that may be included in serious injury claims often include:
- Expenses for past and future treatment, including equipment, physical aids, and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical care
- Past and future loss of wages
- Home modifications
Your primary concern should be recuperating from your injuries and getting well may take a long time, so it’s important to find a qualified, trustworthy personal injury attorney that will be by your side throughout the claims process. Next to getting better, the most important thing you will need to do is contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. Keep in mind that if you are unable to go to the attorney’s office, most personal injury attorneys will come to you. When filing a serious injury claim, it’s important that you provide your attorney with any information you may have regarding the accident and be sure to be open and honest about the accident and your current progress in the recovery of your injuries.