How Do I Know If I’ve Sustained a Catastrophic Injury?

April 10, 2018

 

Do you believe that you received a catastrophic injury in an accident and that it was caused by another’s negligent behavior? If so, you may be able to file an injury claim with the help of a personal injury lawyer.

 

Anyone who is hurt in an accident has the right to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine whether or not their case meets the grounds to file a legal claim. However, anyone who has suffered a catastrophic injury may be much more likely to recover compensation if it can be shown that another party was reckless or negligent and that this led to severe injuries. Catastrophic injuries will have a lasting impact on your life and that is why these are taken more seriously by juries and judges in personal injury cases.

Many people are curious about what makes an injury catastrophic. A catastrophic injury can occur as a result of a number of different accidents including truck and vehicle accidents, slip and fall incidences, and more. A catastrophic injury is usually associated with injuries that will permanently prevent the victim from receiving or performing any gainful work. This means that the victim may no longer be able to hold down a job that supports themselves or their family members and the implication of such an injury will often reach far beyond the workplace as well. Someone who has suffered a catastrophic injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage may find it difficult to get through a single day without severe pain.

Invasive medical procedures and physical therapy are commonly assessed with catastrophic injuries but many people who have sustained an injury like this may never be able to fully recover and will find themselves facing an uphill battle from one day to another. To compensate a victim who has sustained a catastrophic injury at the hands of someone else, laws allow those who have been affected to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. This compensation can help with pain and suffering, medical bills and other expenses directly related to the severe accident. A lawyer will fight for you when the time comes in settlement negotiations or court.

Trying to figure out bills after no longer working from accident
By Sarkisian Law Offices • October 6, 2026
If a crash ended your career, Indiana law allows recovery for lost earning capacity. How those claims are calculated, proven, and contested.
Gray child car seat secured on a black car back seat, facing sideways in the rear passenger area.
By Sarkisian Law Offices • September 29, 2026
Children are injured differently than adults in crashes. Pediatric injury patterns, Indiana car seat law, and why early settlements carry real risk.
Semi-truck traveling on a Northwest Indiana interstate highway
By Sarkisian Law Offices • September 22, 2026
A truck crash rarely has one liable party. Learn when an Indiana trucking company is responsible, from negligent hiring to hours-of-service violations.
Attorney reviewing a contract with a client across a desk in a law office
By Sarkisian Law Offices • September 15, 2026
What to ask in a free consultation with an Indiana injury lawyer, from contingency fees and case costs to comparative fault and filing deadlines.
Two cars after a rear-end collision on a Northwest Indiana road
By Sarkisian Law Offices • September 8, 2026
Is the rear driver always at fault in an Indiana rear-end crash? Not always. Learn how comparative fault, brake-checking, and evidence decide who pays.
Front wheel of a black motorcycle parked on a sunlit paved street
By Sarkisian Law Offices • September 3, 2026
Indiana insurers assume riders were reckless before reviewing evidence. See how that bias cuts settlements and what evidence pushes back.
Show More