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Personal Injury FAQ

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Per 42 USC § 3796b, the legal definition of a catastrophic injury is an injury with "direct and proximate consequences" that "permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work." In simpler terms, a catastrophic injury is an injury that is so serious that its effects leave the victim with permanent damage. Catastrophic injuries are usually the result of physical harm to the brain and/or spinal cord which can have a severe short- and long-term impact on an individual's functional capabilities.

Whatever the case, if you have sustained injuries serious enough to be long-term and debilitating or that caused you a deformity, you have suffered a catastrophic injury.

Having a catastrophic injury means losing a vital part of your person, whether it's a limb, the ability to walk, or the ability to form a whole thought. For any accident that results in catastrophic injury to even one person, a catastrophic injury lawsuit and settlement can be pursued. With the help of a Houston personal injury lawyer, you can legally be compensated for the wrongful and life-altering harm that has been done to you.

You are entitled to a catastrophic injury settlement for a number of reasons:

  • First, the more serious the injury, the greater the medical expenses. You may have had surgeries, need rehabilitation, or you may require permanent use of a medical device or medication.
  • Second, if the injury put you out of work, you may be entitled to compensation for those lost wages.
  • Finally, you may also be entitled to compensation because of the emotional damage that you suffered.

The Types of Catastrophic Injuries

In general, catastrophic injuries come in three types:

  • Physical injuries include amputation, burns, fractures, and damage to orthopedic function or tissue.
  • Spinal cord injuries exclusively affect the spinal cord, creating permanent mobility issues for survivors.
  • Cognitive injuries are among the most costly of catastrophic injuries. Cognitive injuries arise from brain damage that takes away a person's ability to work, speak, or form new memories.

Each and every catastrophic injury impacts the survivor and their entire family. Taking care of someone with mobility or cognitive limitations is emotionally taxing, forcing working spouses to quit their jobs and devote themselves to around-the-clock care full-time. In cases where a spouse can't quit their job, they'll need to make enough money to hire a caretaker, which is an exorbitant cost for most families. A catastrophic injury means a limited future for survivors and their families, and that's unacceptable.

If you would like to learn more about how our firm can help you rebuild your future, do not hesitate to call us today.

Case Results

Check Out Our Victories

  • $8 Billion Top 3 Largest Jury Verdict in U.S. History Arnold & Itkin tried a case against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn about a drug’s most damaging side effects: gynecomastia. Our skill, hard work, and dedication resulted in the third-largest jury verdict ever obtained for an individual ...
  • $860 Million History-Making Verdict After Fatal Crane Accident Arnold & Itkin took up the case of a woman who lost her daughter after a crane collapsed on her daughter’s apartment building. After nearly four years of delays, the defendant was forced to take responsibility.
  • $557 Million Massive Verdict Won Against Union Pacific Arnold & Itkin won a half-a-billion-dollar verdict against one of the nation’s largest rail companies after train operators mercilessly struck our client despite knowing she was on the tracks.
  • $357 Million Largest Workplace Accident Settlement in Texas History Arnold & Itkin LLP secured a massive nine-figure settlement against a transnational corporation for a workplace incident. The settlement set a Texas record for being the largest personal injury settlement in the state’s history.
  • $222 Million Record-Breaking Verdict for Widow Our firm won $222 million for a woman who lost her husband in an industrial accident caused by a faulty valve. We took the case to trial because the at-fault company refused to take responsibility. The jury saw through the corporate lies and double ...
  • $205 Million Confidential Settlement Obtained for Numerous Clients Arnold & Itkin reached a record $205,000,000 settlement on behalf of clients after several years of hard-fought litigation. The case settled just before trial was set to begin.
  • $193 Million Settlement Won for Victims of Pipeline Explosion Offshore injury lawyers at Arnold & Itkin fought for two workers who were injured in a pipeline explosion at sea, one of whom passed away. Our relentless investigation and advocacy resulted in a nine-figure settlement that will provide for our ...
  • $171 Million One of the Largest Confidential Settlements in History Arnold & Itkin worked over the course of several years to represent clients in a case that many other law firms turned down. In the end, we were able to obtain a record-setting confidential settlement.
  • $139 Million Massive Settlement Achieved for Victims of an Oilfield Incident Arnold & Itkin LLP negotiated a huge $139,000,000 settlement for injured families affected by an oilfield incident in the eastern United States, settling one week before trial.
  • $125 Million Settlement Won for Widow of Dredge Worker Offshore lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP won a nine-figure settlement for a woman who lost her husband in a pipeline explosion. By pushing the case toward trial, our firm pressured the defendant into settling with our client, allowing her to rebuild ...
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“I have eight brothers and sisters. Family means a lot to me. When Arnold & Itkin stepped up the way they did, and treated me the way they did, it felt like family.”
Christopher Workplace Explosion Victim

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