Suffering a catastrophic injury is life changing in several ways. Severe injuries can require lifelong medical care or physical therapy, which are costly and emotionally demanding. They often result in a loss of quality of life.
At Bowles & Verna LLP in San Jose, CA, our attorneys can help quantify the damage caused by loss of quality of life, and pursue full and fair compensation for victims.
What Is Loss of Quality of Life in Catastrophic Injury Cases?
When catastrophic injuries happen from car or truck accidents, workplace incidents, or other personal injury cases, one component of the damage that results is the loss of quality of life. This relates to the decrease in enjoyment the victim suffers over the course of his or her life after the accident.
Common examples of how the quality of live is affected when a catastrophic injury takes place are:
- An inability to hold and care for children.
- An emotional toll taken on marital relationships.
- Becoming unable to return to a fulfilling career.
- The requirement to rely on medication to ease pain on a daily and long term basis.
- Giving up a lifestyle that includes a comfortable home or being able to travel.
Any time these circumstances exist and are directly tied to the accident, the victim can make a claim for loss of quality of life. In order to be successful, the victim must show that the things they can no longer do are things they were able to enjoy prior to the accident.
What Types of Injuries Are Catastrophic Enough to Affect Quality of Life?
In most personal injury cases, victims suffer injuries such as broken bones, burns and scratches, lower back pain, and head and neck trauma. In less severe cases, these injuries can be treated and the patient can return to a normal life. But in catastrophic cases, the injuries are much more significant and can alter the course of the victim’s life.
Common injuries that are considered catastrophic enough to affect the quality of life are:
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Traumatic brain damage
- Change in mood or personality
- Organ damage
- Loss of vision
- Contraction of infectious diseases
- Multiple bone fractures or breaks
Victims of these types of injuries are entitled to recover the cost of medical care, ongoing treatment, loss of wages, and loss of future earnings. In many cases, the victims will not be able to perform common tasks to take care of their basic needs, or they may have to quit work or take a less enjoyable job.
Proving a diminution in the quality of life is challenging, but can be done when the right personal injury attorney handles your case.
Who to Call for Help with Loss of Quality of Life in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Bowles & Verna LLP represents victims of accidents. We develop case strategies designed to recover full and fair compensation for our clients as we pursue all avenues of recovery. Contact us online or call our office today at (925) 935-3300 to learn more.