When you are injured in an accident, the possible outcomes for your health are endless. Ideally, you will suffer only modest injuries and you will be able to recover quickly. With some basic treatment and a little bit of time, you will be back to feeling like yourself. 

Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works out. When an individual suffers a catastrophic injury, life is unlikely to ever be the same again. These kinds of injuries will leave a person altered forever in one way or another. Catastrophic injuries can lead to paralysis, the loss of a limb, permanent work disability, and many other outcomes. 

Certain Accidents Tend to Cause More Catastrophic Injuries Than Others

The human body is a tremendously strong and resilient thing. However, it can only take so much. That’s why catastrophic injuries can change the course of your life.

Even if you are lucky, it may take years to recover from this kind of event. In worse cases, complete recovery will not be possible. 

Some accidents and circumstances tend to contribute to catastrophic, life-altering injuries more often than others. These include car accidents, work-related accidents, and falls.

Car Accidents

There is a lot of force involved when two or more cars collide on the roads in and around NYC. The mass of each vehicle can do serious damage to the human body, especially when traveling at high speeds. 

Workplace Accidents

It’s not uncommon for people to be hurt at work, and sometimes those injuries are quite severe. That’s particularly true in an area like New York City, where there is a considerable amount of dangerous industrial and construction jobs.

Fall Accidents

When you hear the term “slip-and-fall,” you probably don’t think about catastrophic injuries – you may first picture relatively minor events like broken arms. But if this type of accident occurs in the wrong place – such as on a set of stairs – the outcome can be much more traumatic. 

Every catastrophic injury case is different, so don’t worry if yours doesn’t fit into one of the categories listed above. Instead, connect with an attorney to discuss your legal options.

Three of the Most Common Catastrophic Injuries in New York

Some parts of the body are more important than others in terms of your day-to-day life. And, some parts of the body heal more easily than others, meaning you can rehab those injuries and get back to your old routine more quickly.

When the most important parts of the body are injured, the results can be catastrophic. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

It should go without saying that your brain is a critical organ, and damage to this part of your body can change your life permanently. 

Amputation

If your injuries result in the loss of a limb, you will face a long and difficult road ahead. Modern technology makes it possible for amputees to regain much of their lifestyle in many cases, but not without significant rehabilitation and physical therapy. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is essential to keep your body operating properly. If your spinal cord is damaged in an accident, you could become partially or completely paralyzed. 

In one way or another, nearly every part of your body is susceptible to a catastrophic injury. If the injury is severe enough, it can impact the rest of your life. 

The Costs of a Catastrophic Injury After an Accident in NYC

Since catastrophic injuries can fundamentally alter the course of your life, you might wonder what the cost of these serious injuries might be. It really depends on the type of injury you’ve sustained and whether or not you’re going to be able to resume some, most, or all of your daily activities. It’ll also depend on how old you are when you get hurt.

According to the Christopher Reeves Foundation, the cost of a spinal cord injury for a 25-year-old (depending on severity) can cost between $1,578,274 and $4,724,181 over the course of their lifetime.

Research also suggests that an amputation injury can cost an average of $509,275 over the course of a lifetime. About $91,000 of those costs add up in the first two years after amputation. The vast majority – $418,170 – rack up due to medical bills in the years that follow.

Offsetting the Cost and Trauma of a Catastrophic Injury

Damages are compensation that you receive when someone else is at fault for your injuries. In the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic injury, it can be hard to think about financial concerns. However, your financial life is going to be greatly impacted by these kinds of injuries, so act quickly to protect yourself and your family. 

You may be able to receive a variety of damages from the party responsible for your injury. As a starting point, many victims can receive damages that cover medical expenses. You are likely to have costly medical treatments and rehabilitation visits to cover, and you may have outstanding bills even if you have insurance. 

There is also the matter of lost income to consider. You will almost certainly miss work when you are hurt badly – and you may not ever be able to return to your job. Damages for lost wages can help you recover the money you lost as a result of being unable to work. 

Another often-overlooked piece of the damages puzzle is pain and suffering. This is an event that you shouldn’t have had to go through, and it’s only right that you are compensated for the experience. 

Not sure what to do after suffering a catastrophic injury in New York? Reach out to our accomplished and respected NYC personal injury attorneys to discuss your case today.

Contact Our NYC Personal Injury Lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Open 24 hours.