What Is a Catastrophic Injury? Insights for Victims in Las Vegas

Catastrophic injuries are serious and life-altering injuries that cause long-term or permanent disabilities. What Is a Catastrophic Injury? This is a term used to describe injuries that have a substantial effect on a worker’s ability to live independently or engage in gainful work. These traumas inflict not just on victims but also on their families, causing them financial, physical and emotional hardship. We understand the challenges that catastrophic injury victims in Las Vegas face, and at Cloward Trial Lawyers, we’re ready to help.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries are severe in that they render the injured individual with lifelong disabilities, which deeply and dramatically alter their quality of life. According to the NCAA, these types of injuries follow a multi-level approach to prevention, immediate response, and long-term care strategies to reduce their impacts.

Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Such serious physical trauma is generally categorized as a catastrophic injury that greatly changes a victim’s quality of life; it entails many specific types of serious physical traumas that would have a permanent effect on victims. Here are some of the common types:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by an external force that causes injury to the head, such as impact or sudden jolts. TBIs have the potential to cause permanent learning problems, memory issues or even personality changes. These injuries typically require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

They also cause partial or full paralysis of said spinal cord injury level. The extent of paralysis is determined by the location and severity of the injury. Such injuries severely limit mobility and need extensive medical and adaptive support systems.

Severe Burn Injuries

Severe burns can cause extensive tissue damage, scarring, and disfigurement. Victims often endure multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, and face long-term physical and emotional challenges.

Amputations and Loss of Limbs

Amputations are the loss of a limb or extremity and dramatically change a person’s life. These injuries require prosthetic-assisted adaptations and a drastic lifestyle change that could have physical as well as emotional repercussions.
what is a catastrophic injury

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for lively streets, a robust economy, and plenty of bustling sidewalks — all of which lend some unique risks for catastrophic injuries along the commotion of its streets, with a tourism economy and near-constant construction developments. Common causes include:

  • Motor Vehicle Collisions: Head-on collisions at high speeds, especially on the highway, can be serious.
  • Workplace Accidents: OSHA is very clear when it comes to guidelines in workplace conditions, given how tragic workplace incidents can often be the result of unsafe work sites and, quite simply, the absence of safety protocols. Injuries from improper training or defective equipment and or a breach of generally accepted procedures or standards.
  • Natural Hazards: Nevada has very serious hazards due to frequent earthquakes and floods. These natural disasters can lead to building collapses, disruption in transportation, and other life-threatening emergencies.
  • Contact Sports/Recreational Activities: Most high-impact sports or extreme forms of recreational activity result in severe physical injury.

The National Federation of State High School Associations believes that this type of tracking and reporting is the key to developing better safety.

The Impact of Catastrophic Injuries on Victims and Families

Catastrophic injuries do not affect only the victim but also bring a complete change in the life and future plans of the entire family. The aftermath may be chronic pain, depression, and a degraded quality of life for the victim, while the family frequently undergoes great stress and a caregiving burden. In their adjustment to the new reality after such injuries, both emotional resilience and significant lifestyle changes are at stake, family dynamics and financial stability notwithstanding.

Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

Victims of catastrophic injuries in Las Vegas can be eligible for thousands of dollars in damages. Damages can be awarded for:

  • Medical Expenses: Insurance coverage for upfront and ongoing medical costs.
  • Lost wages: compensation for lost wages when the individual is not able to return to work
  • Pain and Suffering: Damages for pain and suffering, both physical and mental.
  • Rehabilitation Costs: Therapies, tools and devices, house adaptations.

FAQs About Catastrophic Injuries

What Is Considered Catastrophic Damage?

Catastrophic damage typically includes any permanent injury or injury that hinders someone’s ability to live independently. Such injuries often include extreme physical trauma, cognitive impairments, or both, demanding permanent care and support.

What Is the Difference Between Catastrophic and Non-Catastrophic Injuries?

The key distinction is in the force and permanence of the injury. Non-catastrophic injuries usually heal over time, while catastrophic injuries leave the victim with a long-term or permanent disability that will affect their ability to carry out daily activities and to work in the future.

How a Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Lawyer from Cloward Trial Lawyers Can Help You

Cloward Trial Lawyers advocate for victims of catastrophic injuries and help them fight for compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, call us at 702-605-5000 or schedule a free consultation. Let us fight for your rights and help you rebuild your life.

Benjamin P. Cloward

In 2016, at the age of 37, Benjamin P. Cloward became the youngest lawyer in the history of the State of Nevada to be awarded the prestigious “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Nevada Justice Association. That same year, he became the youngest member of the Nevada, Las Vegas Chapter of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates), and at the time was also the youngest person in the State of Nevada to be Board Certified as a Personal Injury Specialist.

Practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, Greyhound bus accidents, and walk-in tub accidents.
Location: Las Vegas, NV

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Start your Free Case Evaluation by using the form below. You’ll get a fast response from one of our team members or call our office 1-888-888-8888.

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Start your Free Case Evaluation by using the form below. You’ll get a fast response from one of our team members or call our office 702-605-5000.

Cloward Trial Lawyers
9950 W Cheyenne Ave Las Vegas, NV 89129

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